Great Scot April 2019 Great Scot_156_April_2019_Online | Page 6

MICHAEL BENNETT
ROBINSON AO (’55)
Scotch College farewells a visionary leader
With the death of Michael Bennett Robinson on
19 March 2019, Scotch lost a beloved son. He served
Scotch College as boy and man with passionate
commitment and unswerving dedication.
Michael was born in Richmond on 19 December
1938, son of Alan Bennett Robinson (’22) and
grandson of Sir Arthur Robinson (SC 1884-87).
A third generation Scotch Collegian, Michael’s
lifelong connection with the School commenced
when he entered as a day boy in 1945 before he
boarded the following year in McMeckan House,
of which he became Vice Captain in 1952. His final
three years were in Arthur Robinson House, named
in honour of his grandfather, who helped Scotch’s
move from East Melbourne to Hawthorn, and
directed fundraising for the new School. This family
tradition of devotion to the School is reflected in
Michael’s lifelong commitment.
Michael’s life changed drastically with the
death of his father in a shooting accident on the
family farm in 1954. He had expected to become a
grazier, but his mother urged him instead to study
law. He graduated LLB (1960) from Melbourne
University and was admitted to practice on 6
April 1961. Michael joined his grandfather’s firm,
Arthur Robinson & Co (later Arthur Robinson &
Hedderwicks and now Allens), ultimately becoming
its co-Chairman and later Consultant.
He married Judith Anne Skewes in Adelaide on
2 March 1968, and their sons Charles (’86), Will
(’89) and Ed (’93) became fourth generation Scotch
Collegians, while their daughter Alice attended
Lauriston. Michael’s active re-engagement with the
School commenced after Charles entered Scotch.
As a member (1986-95) and Chairman (1995-2006)
of the School Council, Michael oversaw a significant
building program which included the Junior School
redevelopment, and construction of the Cardinal
Pavilion, Language Centre and James Forbes
Academy.
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Great Scot Number 156 – April 2019
He also had two very successful terms as
President of the Scotch College Foundation, from
1993 to 1996, and from 2008 to 2017, during
which he played a key role in the fundraising drive
for the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science and
the Spencer Centre for Design and Technology.
Buildings all around the campus stand as testimony
to Michael’s selfless contributions to the School
he loved.
Michael joined the OSCA Council in 1981.
He was appointed President in 1989, and in 2001
was awarded OSCA Honorary Life Membership.
Michael was the first person to have led OSCA,
the Foundation, and the School Council.
On Australia Day 2002, Michael was made an
Officer of the Order of Australia for his service to
the law, to business and business regulation, and to
the community through his support of education,
medical research and private health service
administration.
His involvement as a company director and
board member was extensive. Health was a key
interest: he was President of the Bionic Ear Institute
and Epworth Hospital. He was also Chairman of
the Law Institute of Victoria and of the Melbourne
University Law School Foundation.
Michael’s interest in Scotch continued beyond
his formal associations. He walked around Scotch
every day, dropping into the Development Office
to point out improvements that could be made to
the grounds or buildings. Having had several boats
named after him, Michael would always ask about
the rowers’ prospects in weekend events.
The Michael Robinson Boarding Scholarship
was launched last year in his honour, and this
year the School Council confirmed that the new
Mathematics building at Scotch will bear his name
for his service to Scotch. These are fitting tributes
to a man who gave so much, and in so many ways,
to his School.