Colin was employed as a forestry officer at Taggerty, a job he was proud of.
Neil was the second of the three Kerr children, the first was Peter (now deceased) and the third was Helen. All began school at Taggerty Primary School before going to Alexandra High School.
Neil completed his leaving certificate at Alexandra and after a chance meeting with the branch manager of the National Australia Bank he was offered a job.
The year was 1965 and Neil was excited to work at the bank. He enjoyed his job working with figures and found he was quite good at it.
Just eight months later he was transferred to Melbourne.
However, being brought up in the country, city life wasn’t appealing to the young man.
He found life too different, and after eight months he resigned and made a move back closer to his parents, in Cobram.
There he was offered work as a purchasing officer with fruit growers R.J.Cornish and Co, while continuing to study accountancy.
He learnt about profit and loss, wages, taxation and paying accounts.
He enjoyed every aspect of the role
“I learnt so much from Bob Cornish and he was very good to me,” he said.
Neil met Pat Ryan and the young couple married in 1967, later having two children, Sara and Andrew.
Neil worked for Bob Cornish for 15 years and learnt everything about growing fruit, employing full-time and seasonal workers and what the company needed to do to produce quality fruit.
In 1980, Neil was offered a position with Cobram Real Estate agent Neil Crowe and while continuing his accounting studies and studying for his real estate licence Neil was kept busy and enjoyed it from the outset.
“Contact with lots of people in the community, listing and selling property, offering advice and assisting people to make the right decisions. It made me feel good,” Neil said.
In 1992 Kevin was ready to retire and offered Neil and Pat an opportunity to buy the business, which they jumped at.
The couple worked hard for the next 35 years, building a strong reputation built on integrity and sound business knowledge.
The husband and wife combination worked well, for while Neil undertook sales and contracts, Pat was in charge of staff and the office.
Neil was something of a standout as an agent, he possessed a quiet demeanour and was always impeccably dressed, perhaps influenced by his time working in the city.
By 2015 his son Andrew, who had gone away to study, had returned to Cobram and was working in the family business.
He later purchased it from his parents when they felt it was time to retire.
Over the years Kerr Real Estate earned the respect of locals, a business that could be relied upon, and this has continued today under Andrew’s leadership.
Previously operating under the First National banner, today the agency maintains the family name of Kerr Real Estate.
Looking back over his 35 years in business, Neil would often be in the office six or seven days a week, dealing with the issues of a changing market as interest rates increased and inflation saw home owners struggle.
However, Neil still made time for his community.
He had played football while at school and when he went to Melbourne he competed in a NAB competition.
He also spent seasons playing with Alexandra, Mansfield and Seymour.
In fact, he had the distinction of playing for four different teams in the north-east, owing to moves within the bank.
In 1965/66 he joined Cobram FC but seriously injured his left knee, which ended his playing days.
While his footy days may have ended, there was a place for him on the administrative side of the club, which saw him take on roles as club secretary, administrator, a member of the social committee and full committee member for a period of 25 years.
In 1984 Neil was presented with a life membership of Cobram FC.
“I loved the administration side of the club and while I couldn’t play any longer, I was pleased to be able to contribute,” he said.
Premierships were won in 1974 and 1984. In 1995/96 Cobram had nine teams in the grand finals and won eight.
Today, Neil and Pat attend the home games and their grandson Tully plays in the reserves side.
Neil also became secretary at Cobram Cricket Club and became heavily involved there as well.
When he retired from both football and cricket clubs, he and Pat played tennis at Cornish’s on the hard courts, which they enjoyed.
Neil’s long-term membership with the Rotary Club of Cobram has reached 33 years. He has held just about every portfolio, including president and treasurer. Conducting events and fundraising in support of their community is Rotary’s major focus to assist the district to grow.
Involvement in the Bendigo Community Bank when it was first set up in the town, Cobram Hospital Committee, Ottrey Lodge and Cobram Historical Society have also been part of Neil’s extra-curricular activities.
And he is proud to have had the opportunity to play a role in the town’s future.
Enjoying retirement, most years the couple have holidayed on the Sunshine Coast while regularly spending a few days at their holiday home in Taggerty.
They also spend as much time as possible with their four grandchildren. Life is good.
32°C