Sir Arthur Robinson
Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
(1872–1945)
The following short obituary appeared in the Mercantile annual report of 1944-45. For much of his life, Scotch College boated out of Mercantile Rowing Club and hence this connection with a Scotch College great.
Sir Arthur Robinson's membership of the Club was brought about by his connection with Scotch College, which brought him into intimate association with Mercantile.
Although Sir Arthur was not a rowing Member, he took a keen interest in our welfare.
We share in the regret of Melbourne citizens at the loss of a man who took such a prominent part in the business and civic life of the City over a period of many years.
Sir Arthur was a prominent politician, businessman and lawyer in Melbourne. He was influential in State politics holding numerous key positions such as Attorney General and a federalist. He commenced a law firm which became a most important commercial law in Victoria acting for major companies. His sporting activities were primarily golf but he acted as trustee of the Melbourne Cricket Club.
He valued volunteerism. His entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography written by Leonie Foster states: His most cherished voluntary activity was his connexion with Scotch College, where one of the boarding houses bears his name. He was a council-member from 1922 and chairman from 1935 until his death, and president of the Old Scotch Collegians' Association for twenty-two years: his enthusiasm and devotion were tireless.
Andrew Guerin
March 2023