Robert (Bob) Edward Taylor
I go back to where-ever it was that I was before I came
Obituary
Sadly our Dad passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on Tuesday night, 2nd June. Dad lived a full life and has left a strong legacy and many happy memories for us all.
We know he had valued connections with individuals and groups formed through his many interests and passions throughout his life. It would mean the world to us if you would share your memories, photos or comments on this Tribute page.
Lydia and Rob
Bio
Robert was born in 1944 in London. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1951 on board the S. S. Atlantis. He had a long and distinguished career working for over 50 years across commercial and non-commercial radio and television stations in New Zealand, Western Australia and Queensland.
He spent 22 years with National Radio in New Zealand, three years announcing with the ABC in Perth, and two years for 2XA in Wanganui a city he returned to live for the last part of his life.
Robert was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for services to public broadcasting and conservation, as well as several awards for program excellence. In 1973, he partnered with wildlife recordist John Kendrick to introduce birdcalls to National Radio for the first time in regular broadcasts.
One of his proudest achievements was partnering with Don Merton to raise critical public awareness and support for the endangered black robin when its population numbered only five birds, contributing significantly to saving the species.
During his time in Australia he established the Queensland Broadcasting Academy and conducted training with Griffith University's Department of Linguistics and QUT, training international students from China, Hong Kong, Europe, and South America. He spent 15 years as a nationally accredited Trainer Coordinator training multicultural broadcasters on an Ethnic Community Radio station (4EBFM) in Brisbane.
Robert was a committed historian, talented artist, actor, author and poet, publishing a book of poems titled "Driftwood-Another Voice". He produced L.P. records and CDs of New Zealand birdcalls, including the best-seller "Birds of New Zealand".
Above all he was the proud father of Rob and Lydia and granddad to Luke and Finn.
Gallery
Memories of Bob
Post a message or share your memories and photos.
June 9, 2026
Am so sad to hear the news. I loved your postings and old photos on Facebook. Your dad Tom named you after his brother Robert who was my dad which is why I always called you young Bobby
May you rest in peace young Bobby, we will all miss you no matter how far apart we were.
May you rest in peace young Bobby, we will all miss you no matter how far apart we were.
June 9, 2026
Met Robert for the first time in 1997 at 4EB radio station in Brisbane. Robert was my trainer and coordinator. We clicked immediately...he said I had a "cockney accent". This fired up a full time friendship and he became my greatest friend, uncle and confidant...and "secret admirer" as he always put it. We would laugh like crazy about anything.
Robert trained me well at 4EB where I eventually hosted my own programme called 'sounds of music'.
Robert built up my confidence in self, life and in people. He loved, laughed, joked, played and worked with everything in him. Always told me off anytime I began to wallow in self pity..."my little sparrow, you must remember you have lots of people in Australia who love you"
He also teased my voice😁...calling it "the reggae croaks". We would be in stitches because that meant I was being loud and noisy🤣
His poems always gladdened my heart. He advised me every step of the way after I returned to the UK and always encouraged me to "Try, try and try again. Never give up!"
Uncle Robert, I am lost for words, and though my heart is broken at the news of your passing, I will always cherish the times we shared. Your voice will always echo in my ears, guiding, instructing and comforting me.
He always told me, "you're just a cockney in beautiful black skin my Lucy".
Well, uncle Rob, that cockney accent has disappeared now...my accent has done a full world tour and returned to my Ugandan roots...you would've been appalled at that now, but we would've been reduced to hysterical laughter as always😂
Miss you is an understatement. I will always hold you dear in my heart uncle Robert.
I know we would laugh hysterically at my poems, but here's my wiggley attempt at poetry...just for you, for the final stage🫂
"Sing on my uncle Rob, Sing on
Fly away now my uncle Rob in shining armour
Sing sweetly in the trees of your dreams
Like the cookabarra belting out his song in a stride
Sing on my uncle Rob, Sing on❤️🫂"
REST IN PERFECT PEACE TILL WE MEET AGAIN❤️👋
Robert trained me well at 4EB where I eventually hosted my own programme called 'sounds of music'.
Robert built up my confidence in self, life and in people. He loved, laughed, joked, played and worked with everything in him. Always told me off anytime I began to wallow in self pity..."my little sparrow, you must remember you have lots of people in Australia who love you"
He also teased my voice😁...calling it "the reggae croaks". We would be in stitches because that meant I was being loud and noisy🤣
His poems always gladdened my heart. He advised me every step of the way after I returned to the UK and always encouraged me to "Try, try and try again. Never give up!"
Uncle Robert, I am lost for words, and though my heart is broken at the news of your passing, I will always cherish the times we shared. Your voice will always echo in my ears, guiding, instructing and comforting me.
He always told me, "you're just a cockney in beautiful black skin my Lucy".
Well, uncle Rob, that cockney accent has disappeared now...my accent has done a full world tour and returned to my Ugandan roots...you would've been appalled at that now, but we would've been reduced to hysterical laughter as always😂
Miss you is an understatement. I will always hold you dear in my heart uncle Robert.
I know we would laugh hysterically at my poems, but here's my wiggley attempt at poetry...just for you, for the final stage🫂
"Sing on my uncle Rob, Sing on
Fly away now my uncle Rob in shining armour
Sing sweetly in the trees of your dreams
Like the cookabarra belting out his song in a stride
Sing on my uncle Rob, Sing on❤️🫂"
REST IN PERFECT PEACE TILL WE MEET AGAIN❤️👋
June 8, 2026
Robert was a great mentor for young radio broadcaster wannabes passing on not only technical knowledge but also many aspects of presenting a radio program. Looking back at the time I was a trainee broadcaster at Radio 4EB, Robert’s figure stands out as someone who dedicated his time and effort to pass on his passion to the next generation. Farewell Robert!
June 8, 2026
I have met Robert only occasionally when he trained us in broadcasting at the Brisbane 4EB station. Those few moments were enough for me to develop a liking towards him. A man of charisma, humour and dedication. A man of many parts.
He projected power and passion into his teaching. When he spoke we listened, inspired by his knowledge and an overwhelming charisma that commanded our respect. In his presence we felt valued and felt comfortable and at ease.
His love of nature and his advocacy for wild life preservation and the environment are the qualities this world needs dearly as the environment faces challenging times. I will miss him, the world will need many like him; that would be the legacy he will leave for us to embrace and pursue. I pray for God’s blessings upon his soul and his family as they go through this difficult time.
Derrick Fernando
Brisbane
He projected power and passion into his teaching. When he spoke we listened, inspired by his knowledge and an overwhelming charisma that commanded our respect. In his presence we felt valued and felt comfortable and at ease.
His love of nature and his advocacy for wild life preservation and the environment are the qualities this world needs dearly as the environment faces challenging times. I will miss him, the world will need many like him; that would be the legacy he will leave for us to embrace and pursue. I pray for God’s blessings upon his soul and his family as they go through this difficult time.
Derrick Fernando
Brisbane
June 7, 2026
I owe my broadcasting experiences to Robert. I was trained by Rober at Radio 4EB in Brisbane in both panel operation and how to present a radio program.
He helped the Sri Lankan Group of Radio 4EB in many ways, but I still remember vividly the course he did for us "The Gift of a program".
More than that, he was a rare, wonderful human being.
My wife and I were fortunate to catch up with him in December 2023, when we were in Wanganui, New Zealand.
Wimal Kannangara
He helped the Sri Lankan Group of Radio 4EB in many ways, but I still remember vividly the course he did for us "The Gift of a program".
More than that, he was a rare, wonderful human being.
My wife and I were fortunate to catch up with him in December 2023, when we were in Wanganui, New Zealand.
Wimal Kannangara
June 6, 2026
Here's one by Robert himself. A post that he authored at our FB group in 2013:
Robert Taylorposted toSS Australis Photos n Stories & Chandris Lines
Top contributor
·
6 December 2013
·
On board RHMS Ellinis heading north across the Pacific for UK 1972.
I love the moments on the handrail and even recently on board Sun Princess relived this same joy. Only those who have traveled at sea know it. It is a feeling of being free, clean air and wide horizons only that curve across the vista and you tend to disappear into your own mind somehow and find peace with yourself. Chandris assisted me achieve that freedom of thought by giving me the time and space to do it in and the Greek hospitality that only we can vouch for.
Robert Taylorposted toSS Australis Photos n Stories & Chandris Lines
Top contributor
·
6 December 2013
·
On board RHMS Ellinis heading north across the Pacific for UK 1972.
I love the moments on the handrail and even recently on board Sun Princess relived this same joy. Only those who have traveled at sea know it. It is a feeling of being free, clean air and wide horizons only that curve across the vista and you tend to disappear into your own mind somehow and find peace with yourself. Chandris assisted me achieve that freedom of thought by giving me the time and space to do it in and the Greek hospitality that only we can vouch for.
June 6, 2026
From Wolfram, creator of the the Facebook group that Robert was a member of since 2011.
This is my tribute to Bob with and introduction to the main tribute link that his son provided.
Many thanks to his son for creating such a wonderful tribute.
The group in question is, "SS Australis Photos n Stories and Chandris Lines" Link below.
It is with great sadness that I let you all know that Robert Taylor has passed away. He has been a member here for a very long time, in fact, since January 2011. One of our original few.
Robert became a wonderful online friend over the years: supportive, knowledgeable, and always ready with a kind word. He was a beautiful man who lived in beautiful New Zealand, and he could weave words together like a true master wordsmith.
Rest in peace, shipmate.
Robert’s son has created a special online tribute page for his dad. If you knew Robert, or simply want to honour one of our earliest members, please feel welcome to visit and share your memories via the link below.
On behalf of myself and our whole community of 7,000, I offer sincere condolences to Robert’s family and friends. May they find comfort in the love and memories surrounding him.
www.facebook.com/groups/ssaustralisphotosnstories
This is my tribute to Bob with and introduction to the main tribute link that his son provided.
Many thanks to his son for creating such a wonderful tribute.
The group in question is, "SS Australis Photos n Stories and Chandris Lines" Link below.
It is with great sadness that I let you all know that Robert Taylor has passed away. He has been a member here for a very long time, in fact, since January 2011. One of our original few.
Robert became a wonderful online friend over the years: supportive, knowledgeable, and always ready with a kind word. He was a beautiful man who lived in beautiful New Zealand, and he could weave words together like a true master wordsmith.
Rest in peace, shipmate.
Robert’s son has created a special online tribute page for his dad. If you knew Robert, or simply want to honour one of our earliest members, please feel welcome to visit and share your memories via the link below.
On behalf of myself and our whole community of 7,000, I offer sincere condolences to Robert’s family and friends. May they find comfort in the love and memories surrounding him.
www.facebook.com/groups/ssaustralisphotosnstories
June 6, 2026
Kia Ora Robert,
As we journey through life, there are certain individuals who truly leave an impact on one’s life and you are one of them.
You imparted your passion for broadcasting into me as a young teenager at Radio 4EB and we had the pleasure of working together for many years.
For me personally, it was a golden era at 4EB with so many interesting personalities. It was a cross over season from analogue to digital and you imparted the knowledge of historical radio with the oncoming digital era.
Your heart for our Māori and Pasifika communities was second to none and you were sadly missed when you left Australia to return to Aotearoa.
May you rest in God’s eternal peace and your legacy of broadcasting will live on in the thousands of students you trained, including me.
‘Ofa atu & haere rā.
Sulieni
As we journey through life, there are certain individuals who truly leave an impact on one’s life and you are one of them.
You imparted your passion for broadcasting into me as a young teenager at Radio 4EB and we had the pleasure of working together for many years.
For me personally, it was a golden era at 4EB with so many interesting personalities. It was a cross over season from analogue to digital and you imparted the knowledge of historical radio with the oncoming digital era.
Your heart for our Māori and Pasifika communities was second to none and you were sadly missed when you left Australia to return to Aotearoa.
May you rest in God’s eternal peace and your legacy of broadcasting will live on in the thousands of students you trained, including me.
‘Ofa atu & haere rā.
Sulieni
June 6, 2026
I have often interacted with Bob on social media. (I live in Florida, USA). I was surprised to learn of his passing. God bless his family and friends at this time.
June 6, 2026
Life is so precious and everyday we should make the most of it whatever our circumstances.
Rest in peace my friend. A very vibrant, knowledgeable, interesting human being. Sail those seas you loved so much and thank you for your friendship Robert 🙏💔
Rest in peace my friend. A very vibrant, knowledgeable, interesting human being. Sail those seas you loved so much and thank you for your friendship Robert 🙏💔
June 6, 2026
I have no face to face memories of Robert only communication through the Facebook Page he created about the Northern Star and Southern Cross. We had been on one voyage at the same time but never met. I was hoping he would recognise himself in photos I am scanning to post on the page. This is to say I thank him for bringing memories back to me of a time I thought were just my own. He will be missed by a legion of online friends.
June 5, 2026
Hi Dad,
I cant help but feel cheated. I thought we had many more days left to talk and be together. I'll never get to show you my construction projects. I never got you to sign my found children of tane record. I never...
I'm proud of you Dad. You had a fun and diverse life. You did so many things and I think you even left a meaningful positive and beautiful mark on our country. I love the feeling I get when I'm in the bush under a black beech tree listening for birds. I can almost hear you whispering "listen"...then trying to call back. You did that. You made the bush and the birds of New Zealand my happy place. Nowhere else is quite the same.
You always knew so much and were right about things which frustrated me sometimes but boy am I going to miss it now.
My heart breaks Dad for what I have lost but you set us up to be happy, to find happiness and showed us how to be creative. Honestly I wish I had a quarter of your artistic talent, carpentry skills, vision and charisma.
Thank you for being my role model for being kind. You showed kindness to the world around you and delighted in the animals who came accross your path.
Love
Lydia
I cant help but feel cheated. I thought we had many more days left to talk and be together. I'll never get to show you my construction projects. I never got you to sign my found children of tane record. I never...
I'm proud of you Dad. You had a fun and diverse life. You did so many things and I think you even left a meaningful positive and beautiful mark on our country. I love the feeling I get when I'm in the bush under a black beech tree listening for birds. I can almost hear you whispering "listen"...then trying to call back. You did that. You made the bush and the birds of New Zealand my happy place. Nowhere else is quite the same.
You always knew so much and were right about things which frustrated me sometimes but boy am I going to miss it now.
My heart breaks Dad for what I have lost but you set us up to be happy, to find happiness and showed us how to be creative. Honestly I wish I had a quarter of your artistic talent, carpentry skills, vision and charisma.
Thank you for being my role model for being kind. You showed kindness to the world around you and delighted in the animals who came accross your path.
Love
Lydia
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