Description2021 City Photographer, Helene Cochaud: "I adopted the name “Aussie Bob” because I love this country so much! It’s a good country. My original name is...' he chuckles and says '... it’s very long and complicated, you’d probably get a dislocated jaw – you can call me Bob or Aussie Bob or Bob the Builder whatever you want, just don’t call me late for dinner!"
The first time I meet Bob is when I was taking photographs on a street corner in Cabramatta. He leans through his taxi window and politely enquires what I'm doing. Pulling up around the corner we chat for a few minutes until he is called away for a job. He gives me his number and agrees I can meet him in the coming weeks at the start of his shift.
Arriving at 4am on a sultry summer morning in Cabramatta the streets are mostly empty. There is a stillness that contrasts the frenetic buzz of the daytime activity. Unfortunately Bob can't stay for more than a couple of moments before a regular customer asks to be taken across town. Although it's disappointing not to have time to talk I'm pleased to see that work is starting to return after lockdown.
Later when I do get to properly chat with him he agrees it's good to be back working normally again.
'I started driving around 1980... what's that, nearly forty two years ? I kind of enjoy it, it's not too bad actually. (...) It can also be stressful, it can also be dangerous, it can also be a lot of fun, it all depends on who you pick up. (...) You meet different people. It’s very educational and informative, you learn about people... you see Australia."
Bob arrived in Australia from Jordan in 1972. His family had to borrow money to pay for the plane tickets. They first rented a house in Albert St, Cabramatta - where Gough Whitlam used to live. Together, his family saved up to buy a house in the area. As Bob puts it: 'Mum fixed everything'.PhotographerHelene CochaudGeolocation[1] CabramattaNotesThese photographs are part of the 2021 City Photographer project.
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Image ColourColourTypeDigitalCopyrightPartial restriction. Please contact Fairfield City Heritage Services for image use.AcknowledgementHelene Cochaud, 2021 Fairfield City Photographer. Image courtesy of Fairfield City Heritage Collection.
Aussie Bob the Taxi Driver. Fairfield City Heritage Collection, accessed 08/03/2026, https://heritagecollection.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/4188
