\nOn 12 December last year, Mr Palmer was killed in his beloved suburb of Shortland leading to an outpouring of grief from the local community.
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![\"Bob-Palmer-Oval-Crop-2.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/Tuxford-Park-oval-renamed-to-recognise-Shortland-l\/Bob-Palmer-Oval-Crop-2.jpg\" "\\"Bob-Palmer-Oval-Crop-2.jpg\\"")
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the renaming of the Oval was in response to a request from many people in the community to honour Mr Palmer\u2019s lifelong commitment to the Shortland Community, and to the Shortland Devils RLFC.\n\u201cThe death of Bob Palmer in 2020 saw the entire Shortland community and many people across the entire City, grieve his tragic loss, and the senseless circumstances which sadly cut his life short,\u201d Cr Nelmes said.
\n\u201cWe have worked with Shortland Devils Rugby League Committee and Bob\u2019s family to make sure Bob\u2019s legacy as \u2018Mr Shorty\u2019 is commemorated at Tuxford Park in perpetuity.\u201d
\nMr Palmer\u2019s daughter Mollie Palmer said the renaming of the Oval was a special gesture that was proudly welcomed by his family.
\n\u201cHe is sadly missed by all who were fortunate to have him as a part of their lives. Our family has great pride in the legacy he has left at the Football Club and in the Shortland community,\u201d Ms Palmer said.
\nThe Shortland Devils Rugby League Football Club, Mr Palmer\u2019s family and wider community will come together on Old Boys on Saturday for a special ceremony held at 2.45pm to dedicate the ground.
\nPresident of the Shortland Devils Rugby League Football Club, Brock Johnson said the renaming of the Oval was a fitting tribute for a man who gave countless hours over many years to his beloved rugby league club.
\n\u201cIt is with great pride that we will officially unveil the signage for Bob Palmer Oval on our Old Boys Day,\u201d Mr Johnson said.
\n\u201cRobert \u201cBobby\u201d Palmer was an extremely special member of our club, and the greater Shortland community. Bobby was and shall remain one of the true legends of Shortland.
\n\u201cBobby\u2019s involvement in our club extends back to the 70s when he first began playing junior footy for the Devils. He continued all the way through to his passing in many different capacities.
\n\u201cBobby was passionate about our club and donated countless hours to his beloved Devils marking lines, mowing the fields, cooking barbecues, running water, coaching and time keeping.
\n\u201cBob was a stalwart of the Club and has made such an immense contribution to not only rugby league but the wider community. We are proud to keep his memory alive through this tribute.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"