Chefprefers BLOG

As we search for the accolades of Jean Roberts, we admire her achievements in multiple Commonwealth games in the 60s and 70s and the Mexico Olympics in 1968. In the sporting game, she continued to obtain a Doctorate in Education and coaching from the Australian Athletic Union. Although, my time with Jeans Roberts had nothing to do with that. My time was more about how close she was to my family. My father was her athletic field coach during her prime, and so this is how she became part of my life. John and Jean’s relationship became more than a friendship between coach and athlete; they became soul mates. This relationship existed from the time before I was born until they died. I was told when I came into this world and was still in the hospital, she looked after my siblings at home. She had always been very close.

Jean followed not long after we moved across the Pacific to the USA. Then returning to Australia 15 years later to live in Murrumbateman, she also moved back. Both John and Jean worked closely together at the AIS. Jean, then residing in the Canberran Suburb of Richardson, and I later settled in Duffy; we crossed paths many times. Finally, after retiring, she moved to Murrumbateman. She set up a little animal sanctuary there, raising sheep and passionately tending to her dogs. She provided a home for her niece, and nephew, until they grew into beautiful people.

Most of what I have expressed here is about her movements and accomplishments, but it doesn’t tell the story about Jean and her character.  If I were to describe one word about Jean, it would be “Uplifting”. Her positivity would transfuse you as though you had just been selected to a sports team or got a new job.  Anything was possible; the words of encouragement to do your best were uniform. Nothing was complicated with her, and there was always a funny story to tell. I once told her I had trouble sleeping, and her reply was simple. You lay down and close your eyes and once a thought comes into your mind, you would shoo it away. For example, “What am I doing tomorrow?” push the idea out to blankness and continue to do this until you are asleep. You can only imagine what it would be like to be an elite athlete who must sleep before a big event. That type of advice would be handy. Shoo the thought.

Jean was also resourceful and pragmatic; she lived by herself for most of her life. All things were routine; this had to be done before that. There was no time for BS; you say it, and you do it. It was sometimes frustrating and entertaining when my father interacted with her. My father was a tease machine, saying stupid things to get her reaction. The trigger would often have them laugh together, but only they would understand. She would explain the joke to you for inclusion. Even in her final days, she could laugh; her sense of humour couldn’t be suppressed regardless of the situation. But that day has come, and my memory of her will always be uplifting, filled with laughter, and in a way, it reminds me of my father and how he was with Jean. Those two would walk hand in hand in heaven, being endless, engaging in laughter and joy.  There are so many people in Jean’s life that I could mention, but they all have their own stories to tell. She was exceptional and should not be forgotten.