BOB ECKEL - MASTER SADDLER

Saddlery is one of the world’s oldest handicrafts. In bygone days, when ploughing the fields and transport were dependent on the horse, saddlers were an integral part of daily life. Despite the need for saddlers diminishing with time, cattle mustering, the popularity of pony clubs and racing has ensured that the master saddler still have an important role worldwide.

In Proserpine, thoughts of the saddlery trade awaken memories of Mr R.W. (Bob) Eckel.  Born at Blackall in 1908, Bob was raised in western Queensland and in his youth worked as a shearer. While working at Mitchell, he suffered a leg injury in a football game and developed gangrene. In the days of no penicillin or antibiotics and after numerous operations, the leg had to be amputated. Bob was only 22 and there were no rehabilitation services available.  He was paid 5/- per week until he gained employment. After his accident, his first jobs were looking after pumps on a cattle station and dairying, but he had to relinquish these due to difficulty trying to hold a bucket of milk as well as managing crutches.

Bob learnt the saddlery trade at Home Hill and his father had already taught him shoe-repairing.  Armed with his own equipment, he arrived in Proserpine in 1937 taking over the premises vacated by saddler, Bob Locke.  

In 1942, Bob married Melba Price of Bowen. In 1943, the family moved to Alpha for a short time before returning to Proserpine where Bob re-established his saddlery business, initially in one of Arthur Dobbins’s Main Street shops with the family living above. Then in 1953, he shifted to Dobbins Lane when Arthur Dobbins built new shops there, tailored to the needs of his special tenants Bob and shoemaker, Paddy Fitzgerald, Bob’s lifelong friend.

In 1946, Bob completed an upholstery course paid for by the sale of his utility. He learnt canvas work, particularly for boats and awnings, and vinyl seating for cars and chairs.  

Bob often came home with holes in his fingers where the awl had stuck while padding saddles with horsehair had to be pushed evenly and tightly into every corner.  Only the simplest of stitching was done by machine and for this Bob used an old Singer sewing machine purchased from local tailor, Mr Tom Byers. There were not many saddlers of Bob’s calibre in this area and repaired goods were often posted to properties such as Jochheim’s “Hillrise” and other outlying stations.  

But more than just a master saddler …

Bob was a great inspiration to other handicapped people.  He owned a fixed-wheel bicycle which enabled him to ride carrying his crutch and he was a familiar figure travelling to and from work.

Although he could not participate in sports, Bob took a great interest in local clubs.  He loved horse racing and helped start up horse racing at Breadalbane Station.  He was secretary of the Turf Club and a member of the newly formed Rodeo Committee.  He was a member of the A.P. and I. Show Association, Proserpine Rotary Club and a Scout Leader. He officiated at boxing matches, helped teach youngsters to box and was a timekeeper at football.    

For 30 years, until his retirement in 1974, Bob Eckel’s shop was a popular place for folks to drop in for a yarn as they watched him work.  He died in 1976 but the image of Bob, apron on, stitching away, sitting in his shop with its familiar and welcoming smell of leather, will remain as a legacy of a skilled craftsman.

Story and photo courtesy Proserpine Historical Museum.

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