Agnes Water mourns the loss of their iconic community cat ‘Bob’

A petition has been created to build a statue in honour of an unofficial town mayor who was sadly put down on New Year’s Eve. Never owned by one person, he was loved and fed by all.

Bob Cat was a beloved member of the Agnes Water community.

The Agnes Water community is grieving the passing of their beloved town cat, Bob Cat.

Known by everyone, Bob Cat had been strolling the streets and making himself at home inside businesses and shops in the town for the better part of the last 15 years.

The friendly ginger feline was loved by everyone and was never owned by one person but looked after and fed by everyone.

Bob Cat at the bottle shop.

The name Bob may have come from his bobtail.

He hung out at the bottle shop, was known to stand at the front and back door of the fish and chip shop and even had his own cosy cupboard at the newsagency.

A Facebook page was created for the town cat a few years ago and locals would share their photos of Bob Cat, from sitting an office chair applying for a loan at Bendigo Bank, on the counter of the newsagency jokingly buying lotto tickets, atop of the washing machine at the laundromat, sitting with another dog at the cafe and on the shelfs at shops.

Bob Cat in front of his mural at 1770 Gelato Co.

The mural on the walls of the 1770 Gelato Co ice cream shop even features a painting on him, and he was quite often seen sunning himself in front of the painting.

There had been attempts to home him but he wouldn’t have a bar of it, preferring a free-range life.

Sadly, Bob Cat was put to rest on New Year’s Eve by the town’s vet, Susannah Plumridge, as his liver and kidney were giving out.

The cheeky feline jumping up on the counter to his spot at the bottle shop.

Bob Cat hanging out in the car park..

In honour of his legacy, local Jacqui Thomson has started an online petition for a statue for the unofficial town mayor.

“Here he can stand in his full glory, while locals and visitors may visit him though he has now passed,” she wrote.

The petition shared online has gained more than 250 signatures with many loving comments.

Bob Cat at the bank getting a loan.

“Ten lotto tickets please”

Kelly Yakas wrote: “Bob was an icon of Agnes he has been around for years. Many true locals would know of Bob’s visits to every single shop in Agnes and over the years he has had photos taken of where he is. I will miss him and will always remember him for all the years I’ve been in Agnes. RIP Bob.”

 

Ed Brew remembered the early days of Bob around 2012, when he used to first hang out around Palm Court and then made himself at home at the nearby shops, strolling out the back of the bakery at 6am.

Bob Cat not included with purchase of kettle.

Locals began to embrace him and it was always obvious who was new to town.

“When I moved to Agnes Water in 2018, I started to frequent local businesses in order to become recognised as a local, I remember the first time I saw Bob, I saw a big ginger tom cat stroll across the Endeavour Shopping centre car park, I instantly turned into a shop to let the staff know that a cats life was in danger, the shop assistant laughed and said you’re not local are you,” Tracey Brown wrote.

Day in the life of Bob Cat.

Bob Cat with dog Lucy at the local cafe.

“Everyone knows Bob the cat, after that over the next years and especially through covid, seeing Bob in his place, which was wherever he wanted, gave me the connection I wanted, I could now say to startled visitors, “oh that’s just Bob, the town cat”.”

“Bob was a local Icon, he meant so much to our community. Bob was here in Agnes Water when I arrived 14 years ago to commence in the position of Paramedic in this lovely town,” Angela Furneaux wrote.

Bob Cat having a nap atop the washing machine at the laundromat.

“He represented love, kindness, compassion and mateship as his free spirit wandered among us at times greeting you when you popped into the bank or went to get a bite to eat.”

Elusive in nature, he was quite the celebrity and many got joy out of finding him. “Our family visit Agnes often and always loved trying to spot Bob Cat and give him love. He is the town star and he will be very sadly missed,” Megan Martens said.

Bob Cat.

Angela Williams wrote: “We loved Bob Cat and would love for him to continue to be a part of Agnes Water. He was a special cat loved by the community.”

While Kathy Robertson-Cipak put it simply. “Bob deserves a statue and plaque in his honour. Loved by locals and owned by no one.”

Gladstone Region Acting Mayor Kahn Goodluck told this publication council would not be erecting a statue for Bob Cat.

“While there is no doubting Bob was loved by many in the Agnes Water community, Gladstone Regional Council has no plans to erect a statue in his honour,” he said.

“If the community wish to honour the memory of Bob, they can do so on private property.”

To sign the petition visit here.