Bob Montgomery was 82 years old and had a promise to keep: one last ride around Australia.
Alongside his 18-year-old grandson Tom Malcolm, he cycled 5,300 kilometres from Broome to Bowral, six weeks of daily pedalling to raise funds against motor neurone disease.
It was not his first challenge: he had already done it five times before, inspired by the death of a cousin who suffered from the same disease more than a decade ago. This time they raised nearly $74,000, and with this Bob surpassed $200,000 raised over the course of his life. They arrived in Bowral on a Sunday, welcomed with applause from the entire community. Tom continued cycling to Sydney to end the journey with a family celebration.
Hours after that celebration, Bob suffered an unexpected medical episode. He died on 4 August 2026, peacefully, with Jenny—his wife of 59 years—holding his hand. According to his family, he was still sharing his message of generosity just hours before he passed away.