John Cobb was born at Bathurst and grew up on a family property near Mt Hope, about 100km northwest of Condobolin. He still operates a farm in the region.

John began his working life as do many farming sons, he went jackarooing in Queensland, spent some time as an overseer, worked on a mine near Mt. Hope, spent 12 months on the Sydney to Moomba gas pipeline, and of course worked the family property. This gave him a solid grass roots grounding in rural life.

His family life and his professional career have been concentrated on the Central West. John enjoyed raising his many daughters on the family property and is now enjoying the pleasures of being a grandfather