Robert Gordon Bath. The names are Scottish, not political.

When and where were you born?

At the Ballarat hospital in 1936. Buninyong is my home town however. My mother's side of the family has been there since 1841. My father's family arrived in 1852.

Where did you go to school?

While I went to school in Buninyong and Ballarat, the 12 most important years of my life from an education point of view was when I was working at Ballarat Grammar from 1958 to 1970 under the guidance of Mr Dart, the headmaster at the time, and his wife. They were wonderful people who changed my life. Both Mr and Mrs Dart encouraged me study physical education at the Ballarat Teachers College.

How long were you at Grammar?

I taught there for 37 years, retiring as sportsmaster seven years ago. For 20 of those years I lived in residence and did boarding house duties.

Was that satisfying work?

It gave me an appreciation of the importance of mentors, particularly in the lives of young boys. It is very unfortunate that the actions of some members of various institutions have created a climate in which it is very difficult for people to take on a mentoring role.

What have you done since retirement?

My two big interests are the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery Assoc-iation and Riding For The Disabled. Riding For The disabled has had a rough trot with trying to find insurance. While we are very lucky to have the pony club facilities as a venue we are in desperate need of an indoor arena for the wetter months.

What has drawn you to RDA?

Its effectiveness as a means of empowering people whose disabilities create barriers between them and many experiences. Our participants receive confidence, a sense of achievement and the real joy that comes from being with the horses. Our volunteers under Pat Fisken are doing a wonderful job.

What weight did you box?

I was a bantam weight _ eight stone seven on the old scale or 54kg today.

Did you have difficulty making the weight?

Yes. When we went to weigh in for the Olympics which, fortunately, you only had to do once, I stepped on the check scales and was right on the weight. Before my coach allowed me step on the official scales he insisted that a technician be called to make sure they were weighing exactly the same. If I had been over, even by a fraction of an ounce, I would have been out of the games.

What kinds of things did boxers do to make the weight in those days?

You used to chew gum and spit to reduce moisture and cut your hair and nails as short as possible. For a couple of weeks before the weigh-in I ate nothing but salads.

There were no diuretic tablets in those days?

No.

What are your thoughts on the Warne controversey?

I can't understand how a professional sportsman, who stands to lose so much money and standing as a result of this, and who would have been exposed to so much information on this issue can be so ill-informed. He has, on his own admission, neglected to read the information that was given out. At best it is inefficient, at worst it appears stupid.

Where was the Olympic boxing held?

The old west Melbourne stadium burnt down just before the games _ conveniently I thought as it was in poor repair. The new stadium, which was run by John Wren, the inspiration for ``Power Without Glory'', hosted the boxing. On the first night I was the only Australian to compete. My first bout, in front of a largely Australian crowd, was against a Sri Lankan (then Ceylon) police inspector six years my senior. He had been an Asian Games gold medallist. I won, a result that drew a tremendous reaction from the crowd. My next bout was against a Korean chap, a professional soldier. I was narrowly defeated on a points decision. My opponent went on to take out the silver medal.

How did it feel to step in the ring representing Australia at the first Australian Olympics?

While you try to treat it as just another fight, daunting is an understatement.

You had achieved some success in Australia however.

Yes. When I retired from amateur boxing in the late 1950s to turn professional I had been defeated twice in a total of 50 fights _ once by the Korean and once by the then NSW champion in the 1955 Australian Championships. I defeated him the following year in the lead up to the Olympics on a knockout.

What were some of the highlights of your amateur career?

I won the Victorian Championships in 1954, 1955 and 1956, the Golden Gloves in 1955 and 1956, and the Australian Championship in 1956.

And your professional career?

I had two 10-rounders and four main events before my last fight which was for the then vacant Australian featherweight championship. This was to go for 15 three minute rounds. I took a bad cut to the eyebrow in the ninth round and the fight was stopped. After this fight I retired.

How do you feel about the decline in interest in boxing in recent years?

It is disappointing. That said, there have been some boxers such as Tyson who have helped give the sport a bad name. The doctors have also been very much against the sport.

Things must have been different when you were young.

In those days all the public schools offered boxing and there was a youth club on every corner _ I think that came about because, after the war, the feeling was that it didn't hurt to have some fit young men.

Leaving aside the titles and the Olympic experience, what has boxing given you?

Both self-confidence and humility. It is a very small ring and everyone is equal there. I would also like to think boxing has taught me respect and earnt me the respect of others.

How did you come to be interested in the arts?

This grew out of my friendship at Ballarat Grammar with Jim McKay, the arts master. I bought my first painting from him in 1958 and have a strong collection of early McKays. He went on to achieve high distinction at Channel Nine before surprising everybody by retiring to paint full time.

And your interest in ceramics?

This grew out of an interest in wood and linocuts from the 1920s and 1930s. On researching the artists I discovered many also did pottery. The ceramics have a tactile quality and are not pinned up on a wall.

What do you hope to achieve as the president of the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery Association?

First of all, I am awed to follow in the footsteps of people such as John Tippett, Bill Ritchie, W R Griffiths and Kingsley Sutton _ truly great people who have done much to make the gallery what it is today. I have been a member of the association for the past 30 years and my hope is to encourage the community to come into the gallery more often and to increase the association's membership.

What message would you give Ballarat about the gallery?

The gallery is not an elitist or exclusive institution. It was established to be enjoyed by the people of Ballarat. If it is to continue to survive and prosper it needs the active support of its community both as visitors and as members of the association.