Rob Brough has been a staple in our living rooms for decades, but behind his bright smile is a personal tragedy that drives his life
He was the voice inside the radio, doing talkback shows and calling sport for 4WK, 4BC and 4GG during the ’70s and ’80s.
He has covered sport on the ABC, and later Channel Nine. His signature curls graced the game show floor of Family Feud from 1990 to 1995.
Since 1995, he’s been in most living rooms every weeknight from six o’clock, with Seven Local News and that friendly smile and signature wink.
But behind the camera, there’s a side to Rob Brough unseen by his fans.
He’s a grandfather who proudly shows videos of blonde, curly-haired grandchildren, with an adoring twinkle in his eye. A father, who tears up on live television because his son Tyson is living his own rugby league dreams.
Now aged 65, Rob’s a passionate cinematographer, who seeks out human stories and gifts people with a memento for life. He’s a diehard rugby league fan, and a passionate coach of men and women’s teams. He’s a man who grew up with a love for music and singing, starring as a lead in every musical from grade 8 to 12.
He’s a man, who may not present perfectly, but strives to present with passion. He’s a man who values preparation.
I was worried the world would forget Sammy
But there were some things in life even Rob couldn’t prepare for.
Blond hair, big cheesy grin and a happy disposition, Sammy Brough was the son Rob always dreamed of.
“I’ll never forget, someone asked me when I was about 17 or 18, what do you want to do in life. I remember it was so clear. The one thing I wanted was a son to kick the footy around with in the backyard.”
Sammy was born with club feet and spent his early years in and out of hospitals, trying to straighten his legs. But that did not stop him from living life on his terms. With a toughness that reminded Rob of his own father, who had polio, little Sammy would drag himself around and no matter how many times he’d fall over, he’d always fight to get back up.
But on his third birthday, Sammy died from an asthma attack in the family’s front yard.
As Rob recalls the day, his lips begin to tremble. He wrestles with the wave of emotions.
“The day before, we were playing. And on the same spot the next day, I’m holding him in my arms on the same bit of grass, and he’s dead.”
An emotional, almost-apologetic smile indicates his inability to go on.
Although it was more than 30 years ago, Sammy still has a big influence on the way Rob leads his life.
“He’s a massive inspiration,” Rob says. “I wanted people to know him. I was worried that the world would forget Sammy.”
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So throughout the years, every rugby league player Rob coached grew to understand Rob’s mentality about life and about the game through Sammy’s spirit.
From this, a special bond was forged between the team and the coach. It was the catalyst that saw Rob driving to and from South Logan several nights a week for 11 seasons until last year to coach women in the game he loves.
He also coached the Australian women’s Allstars, the Australian women’s Indigenous Allstars and even Russia’s women’s side at a World Cup.
“They were tough,” Rob says.
“A team of mothers, wives, partners, employees, who, regardless of the multitude of roles they played in their everyday lives, when they turned up, they played hard.
“I’m in awe of them; I have massive respect for them.”
Human connection has always been at the core of what Rob seeks, so even once the cameras stop rolling, he’s out and about seeking and sharing the remarkable stories of everyday humans.
After buying a Panasonic Gh5 camera more than two years ago, Rob has thrown himself into the dynamic and colourful world of cinematography.
“I make plenty of mistakes but I’m learning so much by simply having a go,” he says.
With an eye for detail, a heart of passion and a hunger never quite satiated, he has a way of capturing the little big moments in life.
But for Rob, it’s nothing more than a passion project.
“I’m not interested in how many hits or thousands of likes. If I do a story for someone, if it’s something they can treasure, it’s been worthwhile.”
Elizabeth Brown is a USC Journalism student
