Robert Higgins goes on top with rare honour becoming life member of Australian Billiards and Snooker Council

A high honour sees Robert Higgins join rare company after decades of passion for billiards and snooker hasn’t waned. His impact on the sport.

Rob Higgins is only the fourth Tasmanian to have been awarded life membership of the Australian Billiards and Snooker Council. Picture: Linda Higginson

A Tasmanian whose passion for billiards and snooker has not waned in 45 years - and who has refereed at world finals – has been recognised with a rare honour.

Robert Higgins has become only the fourth Tasmanian life member of the Australian Billiards and Snooker Council, following the late Ron Atkins OAM (1986), Rex Swain of Launceston (1998) and North-West identity John Williams (2000).

Mr Swain, who presented the award, said Mr Higgins was “as renowned as anyone in the sport”.

“He doesn’t like to be in the spotlight but he’s everything to billiards and snooker and has done every job for more than 40 years.

“He’s highly valued and respected.”

Rob Higgins is only the fourth Tasmanian to have been awarded life membership of the Australian Billiards and Snooker Council. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Higgins, 70, also widely regarded for his tireless community involvement, is deputy chair of Foodbank Tasmania, has been involved with the Claremont RSL for 30 years and is treasurer and life member and an advisor to the Tasmania Racing Appeals Board.

He says he was a modest player in the 1970s and credits his late father Bob and brothers David and Les and life partner Carole for his award.

“Les blazed a trail, locally, nationally and internationally, so playing became secondary to me.

“My passion was all about promoting the game, and trying to become the best administrator and referee I could be.

“What I love about cue sports and more particularly billiards and snooker is the real mental test of character and temperament.

“Apart from requiring the necessary skills sets, you are alone, the table, your opponent, the referee, it is a pressure cooker, and the decorum demanded by the sport, means you cannot vent, or let off steam.

“I just love all of those little nuances, the white gloves, bow ties and I’ve seen it up close and personal having been lucky enough to have refereed world billiards finals and the finals of every major event on the state, national and Oceania calendars.”

While the sports enjoy almost a cult following in England and more recently in Asian countries including China, he laments the loss of venues has “put a real dent on our player numbers locally”.

Mr Higgins said it was “a bit surreal” to receive his latest honour and he had to “pinch myself and think how lucky and humbled I am”.

He said while he wished he could do more, his work with Foodbank was satisfying as he tried his hardest “to make a small contribution to make the lives of vulnerable and food insecure Tasmanians a little bit better”.

“I am driven to try and make a difference, whatever that is or however small.”