Thursday, 17 October 2024

 Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Minister for Employment) (10:25): I have a love story about a beautiful man, Allan Robinson, his gorgeous Pam and his lovely family – a man who loved learning and mentoring and who was adored by students and colleagues over more than five decades of teaching. He loved basketball and was loved by players. There was overwhelming love for Allan at his service at Ivanhoe town hall. Greg Jeffers, who worked closely with Allan to imagine and create the award-winning new stadium at Monty spoke of Allan as a gentleman. Allan was full of kindness and respect and gentleness. Greg said Allan was the kind of man that we aspire to be. We know his children Shane, Tanya and Jessica, their partners Pip, Matt and Darren and their children Rorie, Ruby, Ollie, Quinn, Ben, Olivia, Holly, Jack, Chloe and Ace will help create a better word reflective of Allan’s values.

Greg remembered many calls of ‘Hey, Robbo’ as he and Allan wove their way through Monty students. He was amazed – ‘Who is this popular guy?’ At a Greensborough street stall handing out cards about Monty’s wonderful new three-court stadium, young adults glanced at me, looked at their cards, walked on and then backtracked, saying, ‘Hey, that’s Robbo on that. What’s he up to?’ The smiles and the love past students had for him was so clear. Greg said Allan cared for each and every one of them as if they were his own children. People felt nurtured by Allan, which was his remarkable gift to us. Allan lobbied hard and gently for a new modern stadium at the school, Monty, and he got it. His name is on those new courts, honouring him. However, Allan’s true legacy is the thousands of lives he transformed through how much he loved. Greg thanked Allan for his impact, and Greg is not the only one who owes thanks to Allan – we all do.