Bourke’s ‘Fox’ Robinsonreceives honorary doctorate

Former Bourke resident John ‘Fox’ Robinson. Photo contributed

Though he had limited formal education, leaving school at aged 13, former Bourke boy – John ‘Fox’ Robinson AO received an honorary doctorate from Charles Darwin University last week.

Mr Robinson left his hometown of Bourke as a young man, seeking adventure in the Northern Territory, going on to help pioneer the Territory’s modern tourism and hospitality sectors.

As a result of his many years of achievements, Charles Darwin University bestowed the honorary doctorate on Mr Robinson on April 24 the same day as hundreds of the university’s graduates received their degrees.

Mr Robinson arrived in the Northern Territory in the late 1960s, working in the meat industry until its decline in the early 1980s. Following this, he worked at the Katherine Swimming pool, sparking an interest in tourism and hospitality. 

Mr Robinson then acquired and transformed struggling businesses including the Redgum Caravan Park, Knotts Crossing Resort, and the Adelaide River Pub.

Charles Darwin University report that his extensive list of endeavours including the purchase of Darwin’s Palms Resort, the construction of the Darwin Airport Resort and Darwin Airport Inn, developing the former Wickham Point Immigration Detention Centre, and the Bladin Accommodation Village.[…]

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