From: Bob Price
Trevor was a treasure. Trevor was a treasure that happened to come my way 46 years ago and each year since my good fortune has become more clear to me. I have been blessed and will always be grateful He made life fun. He made life meaningful and most of all he was dedicated to making life a little bit better for his family, his business colleagues, the customers of the companies he served, and the society in which he lived.
That is an awesome contribution to have made in a span of four plus decades. It was a joy to share some of that with him.
Now we share our sorrow in his passing, that his intelligence, wit and charm are no longer part of our daily lives. But more than just memories of things past are ours to share. We can share in the contributions that Trevor has left in terms of information technology, public policy and social good.
Bob.
From John Marquet
Trevor played a major hand in the establishment of an on-shore
environment for world-class computing. He led the operations which
in the 1960s facilitated super computing at CSIRO and the Australian
Bureau of Census and Statistics, and after these initial successes,
at many other of Australia's seminal big-computer sites.
Within the workplace Trevor mentored, the folk from Control Data
Australia could be creative and make a difference. It helped that
CDA was a happy place to be.
Trevor was unfailingly kind and courteous to his people. His
observations about the ways of the world were often perceptive and
sometimes wicked. I think he had a very Celtic way with story
telling. He knew how to laugh (even at his own jokes) and he
understood well the spirits and demons that affect all humans.
After the CDA years Trevor continued to foster and mentor local IT
developments, most notably as an advisor to Senator John Button,
though the good fight for sustainable local IT capabilities has yet
to be won. We are (again) in the midst of a 'skills crisis', which
would no doubt amuse and sadden Trevor.
I am glad have known him. He was the nicest boss I ever had.
John
From: Marcel Dayan
Sincere sympathy and condolences to Kaye and the family. Trevor was always my role model of a successful CEO in his leadership style and the 'esprit de corps' that he was able to engender among CDA employees. I will miss his insight, stories and anecdotes that he continued to regale us with over a bottle of red at our ex-CDA lunches.
Marcel
From: Peter Dulmanis
There are clearly many wonderful comments that can and will be made about Trevor. For me personally he was instrumental in me joining CDA and then launching on to a very successful professional career for the next 40 years. In the early days I was most impressed by the white Pontiac whizzing in and out of the car park at 598 when we all at best had a Holden or Falcon or Rover in John O'Neil's case and I remember I was amazed that he had reputedly spent more than a $1000 on a phone call to Bob Price to get Minneapolis support for a local deal.
His belief, passion, commitment, competence, persistence and loyalty were great role models.
Cherished unique influences and memories!
Peter
From: Tony Bell
Trevor Robinson's management and personal style engendered a truly special workplace. One where people were happy to go the extra mile, and at the same time to enjoy each others' company, to respect each others' competencies, and to do all this in a spirit of fun. A demonstration of this esprit de corps is the continuing friendly contact we maintain with our fellow ex-employees. Control Data closed its doors in 1994, and yet we retain fond memories of a golden era in the IT industry.
All of this can be attributed to a man who was, first and foremost, a people person. Our sympathies go out to Kaye and the family.
Tony and Gail Bell
From Max Burnet
Trevor Robinson had a great influence on the early
application of computing to Australian science,
education and industry. His achievement in winning
the Bureau of Stats sale is one of the great legends
of the industry.
He gave a wonderful speech to the Sydney computer
old timers lunch a couple of years ago.
I have some treasured CDA components that he donated
to our computer museum in recent years.
It was an honour to have known him.
His family can be very proud of him.
Yours sincerely Max
From : Ron Bird
Our deepest sympathy to Kaye and family. In addition to being an industry pioneer and leader, Trevor was one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known. Trevor operated on principles that I have always admired and tried to apply to my own life. I particularly remember him taking the trouble to guide a very green 25 YO when I joined CDA in 1963. The comradeship that is still evident to this day among ex CDA people is in my view directly attributable to the leadership by example set by "ETR" in the heady CDA days of the 1960s. I will very much miss his company and the anecdotes about industry characters told with the dry humour that only Trevor could provide.
Ron and Barbara Bird
From : George Karoly
Trevor was a very fine man, who will be missed by all who have known him. As one who has worked with him for many years, I have always admired and respected him.
I would like to convey my deepest sympathy to Kaye and the rest of his family.
George
From : Mike Spark
Although I never worked directly for Trevor, I knew him in later years
over a pizza and bottle of red with the CDA mob, and at the reunions.
I feel I am privileged to have known this gentle, understanding, highly
knowledgeable and interesting man at a personal level.
The computer industry (Australia and the world) owes him a great deal
for his foresight and leadership abilities.
We shall miss his insights and knowledge, and of course his wonderful
company.
Mike
From : Sunny
Trevor. A true gentleman. A man I have admired, respected and loved for over 45 years. Charming, clever, witty, thoughtful and kind. There are many wonderful memories of the old days at St. Kilda Road, including the first time he brought the beautiful Kaye into the office that will always bring a smile to my face. Thankyou for being in my life, I will miss you very much.
Sunny
From : Smith Family
Well oh sh..t. One of Australia's true gentlemen has fallen off the twig. How very sad that I have not seen Trevor for nearly thirty years, but I still remember him from the old days of Saigon , St Kilda Road etc.
Please pass on my commiserations to Kaye and the family, and believe me I have tears in my eyes as I write this. RIP ET
Bruce
From: John O'Neil
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 5:25 PM
Subject: Trevor Robinson
Trevor died about 11.00 am this morning. His condition had deteriorated since he had a fall about 5 weeks ago, and he was moved back to the Alfred last Friday. Kaye, Kate, David and Chris were with him this morning, and I know from being with them just before he died that they were relieved for him when he passed away peacefully.
The service for Trevor was held on Monday 18th June at 2.00 pm at the Rippon Lea Estate, 192 Hotham Street Elsternwick.
