After watching the service online, if you can leave a guest message to let the family know you have joined into the service, that would be greatly appreciated.
Rob, my dear friend. Such an honour to have shared the joy of singing together in Veritas and Carnevale. It is a union that words cannot aptly describe. Many a feast, wedding, festival, La Mama, Old Cheese Factory and more. Rest assured, your words and wisdom will echo in the many lives you have touched with your kindness, wit and wisdom. May you sing amongst the spheres. x
I feel very fortunate to have known Rob for quite a number of years – even if only to have generally crossed paths with him on special occasions. Still, I always found great delight in sharing any kind of exchange with Rob – a smile, a joke, a story, a philosophical discussion – or bearing witness as he played up a storm on the hurdy-gurdy. I also remember him telling us how much he utterly adored Laura before we met her.
As expressed in the touching stories told today, Rob possessed the wonderful qualities of intelligence, cheekiness, charm, ever-readiness, passion & a seemingly inherent compulsion to simultaneously acknowledge & expand the lives of others. I experienced this first hand with Rob too – particularly in our discussions about children.
Rob’s incredible zest for life & his reassuring smile instantly fill my cup whenever I think of him now. This is a cherished gift that I am sure will keep on giving (and then some) to all those dear friends and family who have been deeply touched by Rob over his lifetime.
Thankyou Aunty Jean, Uncle Richard, Linda, Jamie and Laura for streaming the service. It was wonderful to hear the people sharing their stories. We will miss Robert so much.
Thinking of you,
David and Stephanie East
I got to know Robert when he worked for Helen Watt and me on a research project at Monash a decade or more ago. He was an impressive figure who exuded charm and good humour. I still have a bay tree Robert gave me when it was a small plant; it is now a tree of considerable size. I think he would have enjoyed a gift that keeps on giving. It was sudden and sad news that he had passed away. Men of Robert’s passions are too few. May he rest in peace.
Rob, you will be sorely missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing you. You were a generous, charismatic, talented and inspiring person and will remain so in our hearts and memories.
Listening today has greatly illuminated my brief impressions of Rob as a uniquely kind and insightful soul, with excellent social values, a sharp mind, and profound emotional intelligence. The partnership between Rob and Laura always struck me as rare and extraordinary: deeply connected and perfectly complementary, each a source of support and calm, but also entertainment, imagination, and nourishment for the other. And Rob, thank you for the invaluable advice about education and schooling which I recall often.
May the feast hall be ever filled with merriment and laughter. May you be at the centre of it all, with music and love, with kindness and peace and mischief and joy.
May you stride through it all knowing we are with you always in spirit and that we expect you to keep a seat warm for each of us, until we can join you.
Be always a glow with the spirit of the universe, an eternal beacon, shining always to guide us, to your hearth and your home.
‘the hurdy gurdy turns/as did your life/chords sounding in sweetness and dissonance/always drawing us back into silence. Vale dear Rob – love and light Mazz
Robert, a lovely man who changed lives in so many ways, and certainly changed mine. I will miss his quick smile, ready song and charm. So many interests and so many arenas he moved in. I am proud to have known him. Vale, Rob.
Being cousins together with a shared Aunt Dorothy (AD) was very special as children. Robert was always up for adventures and even though he was younger he was great company and fun. I was fortunate to be in Melbourne last year on one of Rob’s better days. I grasped the opportunity and some fresh vanilla pastries, and we spent a precious time remembering and connecting our worlds that have been so different and yet with so much commonality. I found a gentle man with such a love for life and those around him, a passion for his family and a deep warmth and kindness. My Mum and Dad who are now with the Lord would send their love and embrace. We have lost a wonderful friend and precious man. Love Graham and Barb.
Being cousins together with a shared Aunt Dorothy (AD) was very special as children. Robert was always up for adventures and even though he was younger he was great company and fun. I was fortunate to be in Melbourne last year on one of Rob’s better days. I grasped the opportunity and some fresh vanilla pastries, and we spent a precious time remembering and connecting our worlds that have been so different and yet with so much commonality. I found a gentle man with such a love for life and those around him, a passion for his family and a deep warmth and kindness. My Mum and Dad who are now with the Lord would send their love and embrace. We have lost a wonderful friend and precious man. Love Graham and Barb.
Those of us working in state education are so grateful for the determined and sustained efforts you made on our behalf, particularly those of us who teach music. Your wise words and advocacy will not be forgotten. What a wonderful and rich life.
I knew Robert as the charismatic, engaging and number one friend and life partner of Laura. I’ll miss our episodic relationship of running across one another at various museum events and sharing news and enthusiasm for ideas and culture. I am humbled to discover more about Robert’s passion for music, education and family. With love and sympathy to Laura and Robert’s family.
I met Rob when he was a PhD student at UniMelb doing great work to improve struggling students’ engagement. It was always a pleasure to see his smiling face and share insightful comments at conferences together. And we came to know him well when he worked for me and Paul Richardson at Monash. I will remember him always as a generous big-hearted soul with a zest for life.
I first met Robert at 16 Capel Street when he was bubbling with joy and pride because he had organised the re-facing of his parents house complete with ashlar lines – he said he wanted it to look its best for them. As part of the house’s shiny new face, Robert gave the roof brand new slate. And when Jean and Richard renovated at the rear, Robert was there again with an aura of protection, pride and care, constantly supervising and checking and the bystander knew that they in turn had total confidence in him. It was always reassuring to see Robert heading from his car to visit his parents – we knew they were in good care.
Robert was a great advocate for state education who did a magnificent job exposing the RC Church’s exploitation and misuse of public funds to push their ideology. A great loss to Victoria’s civil society. Irreplaceable.
Rob, my dear friend. Such an honour to have shared the joy of singing together in Veritas and Carnevale. It is a union that words cannot aptly describe. Many a feast, wedding, festival, La Mama, Old Cheese Factory and more. Rest assured, your words and wisdom will echo in the many lives you have touched with your kindness, wit and wisdom. May you sing amongst the spheres. x
Thank you for the beautiful service today.
I feel very fortunate to have known Rob for quite a number of years – even if only to have generally crossed paths with him on special occasions. Still, I always found great delight in sharing any kind of exchange with Rob – a smile, a joke, a story, a philosophical discussion – or bearing witness as he played up a storm on the hurdy-gurdy. I also remember him telling us how much he utterly adored Laura before we met her.
As expressed in the touching stories told today, Rob possessed the wonderful qualities of intelligence, cheekiness, charm, ever-readiness, passion & a seemingly inherent compulsion to simultaneously acknowledge & expand the lives of others. I experienced this first hand with Rob too – particularly in our discussions about children.
Rob’s incredible zest for life & his reassuring smile instantly fill my cup whenever I think of him now. This is a cherished gift that I am sure will keep on giving (and then some) to all those dear friends and family who have been deeply touched by Rob over his lifetime.
He will be sadly missed.
I met Rob through Synergy Gallery Northcote. A big, creative, beautiful gentle giant. xxx Jo Porter
So many beautiful words to describe you Rob, and so apt.
Thank you all for sharing these aspects of him and hist life and my thoughts with you all.
May we honour and celebrate his presence on this earth, we have been blessed to know him.
Soula Veyradier
Beautiful ceremony. My thoughts are with you Laura and all of Rob’s family
Thankyou Aunty Jean, Uncle Richard, Linda, Jamie and Laura for streaming the service. It was wonderful to hear the people sharing their stories. We will miss Robert so much.
Thinking of you,
David and Stephanie East
I got to know Robert when he worked for Helen Watt and me on a research project at Monash a decade or more ago. He was an impressive figure who exuded charm and good humour. I still have a bay tree Robert gave me when it was a small plant; it is now a tree of considerable size. I think he would have enjoyed a gift that keeps on giving. It was sudden and sad news that he had passed away. Men of Robert’s passions are too few. May he rest in peace.
Rob, you will be sorely missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing you. You were a generous, charismatic, talented and inspiring person and will remain so in our hearts and memories.
A truly beautiful and moving service Laura, I know Rob will be sorely missed by you and all his family and friends.
Listening today has greatly illuminated my brief impressions of Rob as a uniquely kind and insightful soul, with excellent social values, a sharp mind, and profound emotional intelligence. The partnership between Rob and Laura always struck me as rare and extraordinary: deeply connected and perfectly complementary, each a source of support and calm, but also entertainment, imagination, and nourishment for the other. And Rob, thank you for the invaluable advice about education and schooling which I recall often.
Lauren Ellis
May the feast hall be ever filled with merriment and laughter. May you be at the centre of it all, with music and love, with kindness and peace and mischief and joy.
May you stride through it all knowing we are with you always in spirit and that we expect you to keep a seat warm for each of us, until we can join you.
Be always a glow with the spirit of the universe, an eternal beacon, shining always to guide us, to your hearth and your home.
Until we meet again dear friend. xxx
Robert the most down to earth beautiful person i had ever met. It is a great loss to us all.
Matthew
Beautiful ceremony- sending much love to Laura and all of Rob’s family.
For weeks I have been trying to find proper words that continue to elude me.
Robert was an extraordinary being and I am privileged to have known him, and laughed with him, and made up impromptu songs at Living History-events.
So much wisdom, and wit, and kindness.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of his remarkable story – forever
From Sasha and the herd
‘the hurdy gurdy turns/as did your life/chords sounding in sweetness and dissonance/always drawing us back into silence. Vale dear Rob – love and light Mazz
To my polymath friend we will meet again on the magic carousel.
A really beautiful service Laura. Thinking of you and all of Rob’s family and friends.
Kate Spinks
Robert, a lovely man who changed lives in so many ways, and certainly changed mine. I will miss his quick smile, ready song and charm. So many interests and so many arenas he moved in. I am proud to have known him. Vale, Rob.
Being cousins together with a shared Aunt Dorothy (AD) was very special as children. Robert was always up for adventures and even though he was younger he was great company and fun. I was fortunate to be in Melbourne last year on one of Rob’s better days. I grasped the opportunity and some fresh vanilla pastries, and we spent a precious time remembering and connecting our worlds that have been so different and yet with so much commonality. I found a gentle man with such a love for life and those around him, a passion for his family and a deep warmth and kindness. My Mum and Dad who are now with the Lord would send their love and embrace. We have lost a wonderful friend and precious man. Love Graham and Barb.
Being cousins together with a shared Aunt Dorothy (AD) was very special as children. Robert was always up for adventures and even though he was younger he was great company and fun. I was fortunate to be in Melbourne last year on one of Rob’s better days. I grasped the opportunity and some fresh vanilla pastries, and we spent a precious time remembering and connecting our worlds that have been so different and yet with so much commonality. I found a gentle man with such a love for life and those around him, a passion for his family and a deep warmth and kindness. My Mum and Dad who are now with the Lord would send their love and embrace. We have lost a wonderful friend and precious man. Love Graham and Barb.
Those of us working in state education are so grateful for the determined and sustained efforts you made on our behalf, particularly those of us who teach music. Your wise words and advocacy will not be forgotten. What a wonderful and rich life.
Not the life of the party, but the heart.
Not just a musician, but bard of bards.
You will be missed.
I knew Robert as the charismatic, engaging and number one friend and life partner of Laura. I’ll miss our episodic relationship of running across one another at various museum events and sharing news and enthusiasm for ideas and culture. I am humbled to discover more about Robert’s passion for music, education and family. With love and sympathy to Laura and Robert’s family.
You will be sorely missed Gleoman.
I met Rob when he was a PhD student at UniMelb doing great work to improve struggling students’ engagement. It was always a pleasure to see his smiling face and share insightful comments at conferences together. And we came to know him well when he worked for me and Paul Richardson at Monash. I will remember him always as a generous big-hearted soul with a zest for life.
I first met Robert at 16 Capel Street when he was bubbling with joy and pride because he had organised the re-facing of his parents house complete with ashlar lines – he said he wanted it to look its best for them. As part of the house’s shiny new face, Robert gave the roof brand new slate. And when Jean and Richard renovated at the rear, Robert was there again with an aura of protection, pride and care, constantly supervising and checking and the bystander knew that they in turn had total confidence in him. It was always reassuring to see Robert heading from his car to visit his parents – we knew they were in good care.
Robert was a great advocate for state education who did a magnificent job exposing the RC Church’s exploitation and misuse of public funds to push their ideology. A great loss to Victoria’s civil society. Irreplaceable.
Len Warfe