“Moving to Yass was the best thing I ever did,” he told the Tribune on our recent visit to his artist’s retreat, complete with easel set up in a sunny corner and original paintings on the walls.

Art has been part of his life as long as he can remember.

“I think I was born with it,” he jokes.

His love of art was something his father didn’t understand. He thought it best for the creative youngster to leave school at the age of 14, to begin work with an accountant.

The budding artist diligently applied himself to columns of figures, and later to a job as Assistant Administrator of Bega Hospital, but there was always a muse behind his shoulder, beckoning.

Two trips to London proved formative, and it was on the second he began evening classes in painting, while working during the day at a splendid antique shop. Some hard work and a couple of scholarships later, the name Roger Moore was found on the enrolment list the Central School of Arts and Crafts, now known as Central St Martins. For six years he studied painting and interior design, with holidays spent roaming around Europe, painting and learning about art, architecture and landscape gardening.

Back in Australia he continued his love of antiques, setting up Moore Mitchetti Antiques with a partner on the ‘Golden Mile’ between Darling Point and Edgecliff. He also taught at the National Art School within the old East Sydney Tech and painted at the Julian Ashton Art School.

When his business partnership was dissolved after 14 years, Mr Moore rediscovered his love of teaching. He taught at schools such as Bankstown and Busby, where he gained inspiration from the difference he could make to the lives of creative students. However his health started to fail and he developed increasing intolerance for chemicals, most importantly the chemicals he came in contact with using oil paints, so he retired.