A few weeks ago I saw an article by Yareah Magazine about Rob being a philanthropist.  And I giggled to myself about this:

“And in May 2014, he donated his bike for an Auction to Benefit the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), who provide primary healthcare services to the people living in the outback.”

Remember when we posted about Rob donating his Trek bike to the @RoyalFlyingDoc  to help raise money?  I never told anyone that I had an interesting email from a really good friend of mine when she read about it that said something along the lines of “I better get onto that”.  I, of course, stupidly thought she was kidding.  Anyway, I shouldn’t have been surprised that when we posted that Rob’s bike helped raise $7,600 I then got an email that said “you know that was me right”.  Bwah!  Of course she bought the bike.  I don’t know why I even doubted that she wouldn’t attempt to get it.  I’ve been waiting patiently for the bike to be reassembled and, let’s call her Rob’s Benefactor since she would like to retain her anonymity, to send me the pics which I finally have.  “Rob’s Benefactor” also put this little interview together for us, so I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did:

RPAU’s Interview with Rob’s Bike

RPAU: Hey, it’s great to see you again.

Rob’s Bike (RB) : The pleasure is all mine. Thanks for taking an interest in me.

RPAU: As you’re no doubt aware, Rob has a few fans out there.  We know they’d be interested in a quick update from His Bike. So, how have you been?

RB: I’ve been great. I miss Rob, of course. It’s been nearly two years since we parted company, but not a day goes by when I don’t think about him and all the fun we had together.

RPAU: We can imagine.

RB: Luckily for Rob, my lips are sealed. I think that’s what he loved most about me. I was a very quiet companion, so he could get lost in his thoughts when he was with me.

RPAU: So, tell us what’s been happening these last couple of years.

RB: Well, when Rob finished filming The Rover and had to leave Oz, we thought it best that I stay behind, so long as I was left in good hands. He decided to help his friends at the Royal Flying Doctor Service, in Marree, raise some much-needed funds, by auctioning me off. Fortunately, Rob knows that any true fan of his would look after me, as if I was her own.  … So, early last year, I was successfully auctioned for the RFDS and found myself on my way to a lovely warm, tropical climate, which I’m still enjoying to this very day.

RPAU: So, you’re being treated well?

RB: Absolutely! My new owner still calls me Rob’s Bike, which I find amusing. And she’s extremely protective of me. Only a handful of people know that I live with her family. Most of her closest friends have no idea. So really, you RPAU ladies are very privileged. (She assures me you’re remarkably good at keeping secrets.)  She says it’s like protecting a little piece of Rob’s privacy. (Oh, and she also concedes that when it comes to anything Rob, perhaps she just doesn’t like to share.)

I have my own room with a nice view. My new owner is always checking up on me, making sure I’m safe.  (Sometimes it seems a little excessive, her concern. But hey, I’m a bike, so I keep quiet.) I’m kept meticulously clean. Well, except for the water bottle, which for some reason, she refuses to wash. I occasionally hear her mutter “just in case”, but I have no idea what she eans by that.

RFDS actually managed to track down Rob in New York and have my seat signed last year, so my lovely owner refuses to let ANYONE ride me. Every now and then, I hear a pesty male voice threatening to take me out for a ride. The only response I ever hear is “Over my dead body and divorce papers!”. I sometimes think she thinks I belong in the Smithsonian, next to Dorothy’s ruby slippers. Maybe one day.

RPAU: Wow, thanks so much for your time. Rob’s fans will appreciate the update.

RB: You’re welcome. You got me on a talkative day.

RPAU:  Any chance we could grab a pic or two to go with our interview?

RB: Sure, my pleasure. Say hi to Rob for me. Tell him I miss him, when you see him next. Oh, and my owner would very much like me to add that Rob’s welcome to visit me ANY time. Her doors are always open.”

I bet those doors are always open lol.  Even I’m not able to go out for a ride on Rob’s bike and believe me I’ve suggested to Rob’s Benefactor that she would be able to recoup the money donated (or donate even more) in a flash if she charged for a little peddle or two.  Joking aside, even though Rob’s Benefactor now has Rob’s bike as a bonus, noone can deny that it was an amazingly generous donation to a worthy cause.

Below is the letter of authenticity and the photos.  I can’t remember if I mentioned to Liz that I knew who bought the bike.  I remember telling someone – maybe David.

If reposting please source and credit RPAustralia.