A century of Dignams at Clifton comes to an end
Robert Dignam
3 July 1941- 24 July 2005
The sight of a near-naked man carrying railway sleepers over one shoulder and a sack full of coal over the other might have caused tourists driving through Clifton to take a second look.
But to the locals, Bobby Dignam’s zinc cream-covered face was a welcome relief in an age lacking colourful characters.
Bobby passed away on 24 July, aged 64. He drowned while swimming off Clifton and, although the coroner has not determined the cause of death, it is suspected he suffered an epileptic fit which plagued him since infancy.
His brother, Paul Dignam of Dignam’s Real Estate in Thirroul, said Bobby swam and fished every day.
“Fishing was his great love,” Paul said. “He often gave people the fish and lobster he caught. It was his generosity that endeared him to people.”
Paul said his brother’s obsessive collection of coal and wood was to fuel the family’s stove.
“He had much in excess of what he would ever need, though.”
Long-term friend Brian Harvey said Bobby had more coal than the coke works.
“He had it all stacked alongside his house,” Brian said.
Bobby went to school for only one day but was kicked out after he pulled the veil off a nun.
“He had a spinster aunt who lived on the North Shore and she took him under her wing when he was about 10 or 12,” Brian said. “She taught him how to read and write.
“He improved as time went on – it was amazing what he knew about politics.”
Bobby, who wore his trademark zinc cream winter and summer, used to stop cars on Lawrence Hargrave Drive to get a lift home to Clifton with his load of coal.
“He was harmless,” Brian said. “He might have looked imposing but he never interfered with anyone. His life consisted of collecting coal but he was cunning as a jailer.”
The Dignams have lived in Clifton for nearly 100 years and Bobby’s passing has marked the end of an era.
His funeral at Our Lady of Lords Catholic Church in Wombarra was attended by about 200 people and the church was overflowing. He was buried at Scarborough Cemetery overlooking his great love, the sea.
- Heather Smith
