VFA footy star and teacher Robert Herbert, remembered as “good man” devoted to his family

THE cyclist killed in a June 11 collision near Mornington, a former VFA football star and schoolteacher, is being remembered as a “good man” devoted to his family.

The garbage truck became wedged among trees after the tragic accident on the Moorooduc Highway. Picture: Nicole Garmston

THE cyclist tragically killed in a Queen’s Birthday collision near Mornington, a former VFA football star and schoolteacher, is being remembered as a “good man” devoted to his family.

Robert Herbert, 61, from Frankston South, was 10km from home when he was struck by a rubbish truck and flung from his bike on the Moorooduc Highway just after 10.30am, after setting out for an 8am ride.

Family have told the Leader Mr Herbert was a hard worker with an eye for detail and a much loved physical education and VCAL teacher at Mornington Secondary College.

Robert Herbert was a much-loved teacher at Mornington Secondary College.

A life member of Coburg Football Club, Mr Herbert played 129 games in the VFA between 1976 and 1983, kicking 242 goals and figuring in the 1979 premiership.

He then moved to Springvale Football Club and taught at Springvale Secondary College before he and his wife Jenny settled down to have sons Craig and Leigh.

CYCLIST KILLED IN MORNINGTON PENINSULA TRUCK CRASH

The couple met while they were both teaching, ventured into industrial cleaning, general store and restaurant businesses before returning to teaching 13 years ago.

“He was just a good man, he worked really hard around the house, he worked really hard at his job and he loved to stay fit,” Mrs Herbert said.

“He’ll be sorely missed.”

The proud grandfather of two girls, aged three and nine months, was a passionate junior football coach at Frankston Dolphins and helped out at the local swimming club and school camps.

“With footy he was always coaching one of our teams, boundary or goal umpiring or doing extra stuff for the kids at school,” son Craig said.

“I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as he did.”

Police investigate the cause of the collision on Monday. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Robert’s passion for riding started about three years ago after a knee operation.

“He used to do a lot of running to stay fit, weight training, but he had trouble with his knees so he had to find something else, so he took up swimming and eventually bike riding,” Mrs Herbert said.

“He loved it, fitness and exercise was always important to him.”

Moorooduc Highway near Bungower Rd was closed for several hours following the crash. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Phil Cleary, legendary Coburg player, coach and teammate of Robert, said he was a “brilliant player, fierce competitor” and “remarkable goal kicker”.

“People would marvel at his goal kicking ability,” he said. “He was also a really good bloke with a dry sense of humour.”

Photos from the scene show the JJ Richards truck wedged between tree branches in scrub on the side of the highway, suggesting the driver had swerved sharply from the road.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The driver, a 53-year-old Noble Park man, stopped and has been helping police.

Frankston Acting Senior Sergeant Patrick Hayes said it was “a tragic set of circumstances”.

The funeral is on Thursday, 2pm, at Tobin Brothers Frankston.

Anyone who saw the crash is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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