VALE BOB ROBEY

Former graphic arts person of the year, and well-known industry identity, Bob Robey, has passed away, aged 89, after a lifetime promoting the local print industry.

Robey was recognised as a doyen of the printing and graphic arts industry, particularly in Melbourne, where he headed up several companies including GAS, RS Robey & Associates, AG Markby – The Typesetting Studio and Merging Images.

He was heavily invested in both his own businesses and in the growth and recognition of the industry as a whole, with a vast list of achievements.

He was a Life Member of the Printing Industry Assoc of Victoria, and of GASSA (Vic), where he served two terms as president, he was GASSA’s Victorian Representative on the Federal Executive.

He represented GASSA for three years on the National Printing Industry Training Committee, and was a member of the committee of curriculum development at the Melbourne College of Printing and Graphic Arts. He introduced the Work Skill competition to the graphic arts industry, and was the chief national judge for WorkSkill Australia (Graphic Arts) 98/90/92 and chairman of the WorkSkill 94 committee (Graphic Arts).

He was a driving force in the establishment of the National Print Awards, including 12 years as deputy chairman and member of the organising committee.

In recognition of his service to the industry he was made Graphic Arts Person of the Year in 1994.

In addition to his extensive and tireless work promoting the print industry he was also Life Governor of the Spastic Society Victoria, and spent six years in volunteer drug rehabilitation work.

Paying tribute to his father, Chris Robey, studio manager at the Giraffe Design Agency, said, “Cheers to you old Dad – you made a decent contribution to your (our) industry, were a friend and mentor to many, and left me with the parting words to 'Do your best because that's what I did'. I'm happy with that advice Dad, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.”