We were saddened to hear of the recent passing at the age of 90 of a great friend of the Australian Twin Registry, Mr Robert ‘Bob’ Balderstone.

Bob and his twin brother, Sir James Balderstone, held a special place within the ATR as our inaugural patrons and long-standing registry members.

Especially in the early years of the registry, Sir James and Bob’s wise counsel and business acumen were invaluable in shaping many of our services and programs that are still in place today.

Bob contributed broad experience to the registry through a career that covered soldiering, farming, business, sport and community service.

ATR Director, Prof John Hopper, says he remembers Sir James and Bob as “the best of friends, deriving great joy from their twin relationship and from working together to benefit others through the twin registry.”

In a letter of condolence to Sir James, Prof Hopper wrote: “While the loss of your twin must be immeasurable, please know that Bob leaves a much valued legacy at the Australian Twin Registry and his name will always be a part of our history.”

We are fortunate that this proud legacy will continue through his 31-year-old identical twin granddaughters, Lucy and Sarah Vincent, who joined the ATR as children and now live in NSW.

Our condolences go to all members of Bob’s extended family.

Bob and Sir James Balderstone were the best of friends, deriving great joy from their twin relationship and from working together to benefit others through the twin registry.

Photo: An early photo of Sir James and Robert Balderstone, with twin granddaughters, Lucy and Sarah.