In memory of ‘tireless volunteers’

Two iconic Gunnedah citizens are set to be honoured with a park seat plaque named in their memory.

The late Norma and Frank Robinson were long term Gunnedah residents who gave a long and tireless service to the Gunnedah community and surrounding region.

The Robinson family wrote to Gunnedah Shire Council seeking their service be recognised in the form of a lasting memorial plaque.

Subject to a public exhibition period, council last week agreed to the family’s request for installation of a memorial plaque at Anzac Park, near at the ‘old tourist information centre gardens’.

Anzac Park, Gunnedah, where a memorial plaque is being proposed in memory of Gunnedah residents, Frank and Norma Robinson.

The plaque inscription will read: “In loving memory of Norma & Frank Robinson. Take a seat and enjoy the view!”

The family said many knew of the Frank and Norma’s “exemplary service to Gunnedah” which included roles in charity, church and volunteer capacities.

Norma Robinson (nee Simmons) was a long-serving volunteer for Meals on Wheels; a volunteer for St Vincent de Paul and volunteer for the Catholic Parish, providing cleaning and flowers for St Mary’s church.

Norma played alongside Frank in many of their well-known concerts for the residents and staff of Alkira, Lundie House and McCauley, as a tireless and energetic supporter of Frank’s many community projects.

Frank was a member of the Gunnedah Aero Club for more 40 years, served as president on several occasions, and more than once volunteered to fly his own Cessna on flood relief and rescue missions.

He was a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society serving as president of the Gunnedah branch and the region in the early years. His dedication to St Vincent de Paul continued until he himself entered aged care.

Frank was a member of the Gunnedah Parish Council on several occasions; a member of Knights of the Southern Cross, a trustee on the Lake Keepit State Recreation Board from 1992-99, a board member of the Hospital Advisory Board, serving two terms and a board member of Lundie House and Gunnedah Village Homes.

Frank Robinson was a talented musician and advocate for older Australians.

Frank’s civic service also included as Gunnedah shire councillor for two terms, 1987-91 and 1997-2004, serving two years as deputy mayor.

He was a staunch advocate for mental health, organising many seminars to raise community awareness as well as courses in the correct handling of mental health issues.

A constant presence at Alkira, Lundie House and McCauley, he played the piano in his inimitable style and led residents and staff in many enjoyable singing and dancing sessions. The family said these concerts were perhaps Frank’s favourite and most beloved gift to the community. Those who witnessed them, the family added, would find it very difficult to forget the unbridled joy they always evoked.

Frank was awarded the OAM in 2008 for services to aged citizens of Gunnedah through the Grey Power Association; established the Gunnedah branch of Grey Power in 1996 and went on to serve as president at both local and state level for 10 years.

He was awarded Gunnedah Citizen of the Year Award in 1999 and received the NSW Premier’s Seniors Week Award in 2003.

In a 1996 Namoi Valley Independent profile on the Robinsons, written by Marie Hobson, Frank said his family moved from Newcastle to Tambar Springs in 1951 when his father, Frank Snr, purchased the local hotel.

A keen sportsman, Frank Jnr joined the thriving bush rugby league competition which featured teams from Baradine to Purlewaugh.

“Football was so popular that Tambar Springs fielded three teams in the competition,” Frank recalled.

He was also a talented musician and often played at pubs, halls and woolsheds in the district.

It wasn’t long before Frank met local girl Norma Clare Simmons – a “gorgeous blond with freckles on her legs”. The couple married at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Gunnedah, in 1954.

The late Norma Robinson during a Christmas celebration.

The couple bought a wheat and wool-producing property between Tambar and Coolah where they stayed for 12 years and raised their children.

It was about this time Frank attained his pilot’s licence and the family sold the property and moved to Gunnedah in 1966.

For a short time, the Robinsons ran the newsagency and a small service station at Boggabri before Frank took on several tourism promotion roles in the Gunnedah area. He was first elected to council in 1987 and appointed Gunnedah’s tourist officer in 1991.

“I really enjoyed my time as a tourist officer because I love Gunnedah and talk about it wherever I go … it is the most attractive town I’ve ever seen and people take great pride in the appearance of their homes,” he told the NVI at the time.

He retired some years later but kept an active role with the establishment of a branch of Grey Power – an advocacy organisation for senior Australians. He wrote a regular column for the North West Magazine newspaper – a publication which endures today in the Gunnedah Times under Collective Media – and was a pioneer in mental health awareness through his leadership at Grey Power.

When Frank was awarded the OAM in 2008, he immediately dedicated the recognition to his wife Norma for “her unselfish and unwavering support through their marriage”.

Frank always believed that “when one door closes another opens” and the pathway of his life was filled with opportunities seen and taken, while still pausing to give pleasure to so many people through music and help place his adopted town on the tourism map.

Frank died in April 2022 and his ashes were interred at Tambar Springs cemetery with his beloved wife Norma.

Frank in his younger years.