History of wireless telegraphy and broadcasting in Australia/Topical/Biographies/John William Robinson/Notes

General
J. W. ROBINSON. John William Robinson was born in West Hartlepool, England, in 1895. He was educated locally, and upon leaving school migrated to Australia with his family to join his father, a mercantile marine officer in the Australian coastal trade. In 1913 Robinson joined the literary staff of the Sydney Morning Herald as a cadet journalist, remaining with that paper until 1922. In 1915 he enlisted for war service, serving overseas with the AIF and rejoining the Herald staff towards the end of 1916. In 1918 he became the Herald's Newcastle manager, and in 1919 was promoted to the position of Senior Journalist and returned to Sydney to take on the position of financial editor for three months. While at school Robinson undertook his first experiments with wireless, picking up signals by means of the Branly coherer. After leaving school his interest in wireless continued, despite embarking on a career in press journalism. This interest led him into part-time study of radio. Deciding that newspaper journalism as applied to the new medium would be very promising, Robinson enrolled in the full course offered at the Marconi School of Wireless in Sydney. For some time he combined daytime work at the Herald with night classes at the Marconi School. In 1921, while still with the Herald, he was appointed as one of the Federal Government's first Honorary Radio Inspectors. When the Sydney department store Farmer and Company established Australia's first large radio station, 2FC, on the roof of their building, Robinson indicated immediate interest. Having graduated from the Marconi School, he was appointed Assistant Manager at 2FC. and became responsible for organising the station's news and utility sessions. While serving as Radio Inspector, Robinson had developed a friendship with Jim Malone, who later became the Melbourne-based National Radio Inspector. F.W. Stevens (later Chief Engineer at 4QG), Malone and Robinson shared similar notions of what radio broadcasting should entail. They were of the firm belief that the medium could only be successfully developed if it became a public utility and was placed under the sole control of government. When the Queensland Labor Government of E. G. Theodore outlined plans for a State monopoly broadcasting station, Robinson applied for a senior position. He was appointed as Manager (later Director, in keeping with other State Government Departments), and given the task of establishing the only broadcasting station in the northern state. He set about doing this with great delight, and the Government allowed him great freedom. He was responsible for designing the station, supervising its construction, training staff, organising programming and arranging the many musical and vocal entertainments. The QRS represented the fulfilment of Robinson's dreams, and the station's considerable success was largely due to his excellent management. He worked very long hours, including weekends, but was provided with a motor car and allowed extra holidays. When 4QG became part of the Australian Broadcasting Company in January 1930, Robinson was reappointed Manager for Queensland, and continued in this position when the Company became a Commission in 1932. Robinson wrote a textbook for radio enthusiasts in 1926, which sold very well, according to the Queensland Radio News, Monday 2nd August 1926, p. 14. He also wrote a smaller book entitled Wireless and the Settler. Biographical notes on Robinson from ABC Archives conclude thus: "While notable as a pioneer of radio, Robinson did not expand with the times and in 1934 resigned from the ABC to edit a (weekly) wireless journal." However, a private letter from Dr C. B. Christesen states that Robinson was having "an affair" with his secretary, and when Major Conder of the Australian Broadcasting Commission arrived unexpectedly one morning from Sydney, he "sacked him on the spot."

1900
Vic birth registration for John William Robinson's spouse Florence Victoria Burch
 * Vic BDM
 * Record information
 * Event: Births
 * Registration number 14206 / 1900
 * Family name: BURCH
 * Given name(s) Florence Victoria
 * Place of event: RUTHERGLEN, Australia
 * Personal detail
 * Mother's name , Mary Catherine
 * Mother's family name at birth GOLDEN
 * Father's Name: , Ernest William

1922 10
"ON MONKEYS AND WEIGHTS. The great riddle has been solved, and Mr. Maclurcan is satisfied. According to the number of amateurs who sent in solutions there must have been numerous wet towels and headaches in suburbia during the past few weeks. However, Mr. J. W. Robinson, Macpherson Street, Ryde, is the winner, and the prize has been sent to him. His solution, which hits the monkey right in the solar plexus, so to speak, wasː-- 'As long as the monkey weighed the same as the weight, any length of rope could be used, even if the monkey's great grandmother was twice as old as the monkey will be when the Federal Government sees it way clear to frame some sensible radio regulations.' This one nearly got the prizeː-- 'If the length of the rope equals in feet the minutes of time I spent in getting that monkey's age -- then it's some length I'll bet.' The vision of another competitor was rather startling. He saidː-- 'One grey day at Callan Park I saw a demented creature with an aerial on his hat. (Picture of Monkey) WIRE in his hair, and CAT WHISKERS where a razor should have been at work. I could DETECTOR 'WIRELESS WEEKLY' peeping from his pocket. He had a stub of pencil in one hand and a bunch of figure strewn papers in the other. The keeper said he was a RADIOT. He kept muttering MONKEY-MONKEY'S MOTHER, and something about a ROPE. He eagerly coded V24, and sought to INDUCT me in his COMPUTATIONS.' To cut a long story short, he did, and the competitor wades through a typewritten sheet of foolscap to the solution of 'five feetǃ' Another, who, by the way, had the mumps when he wrote it, saysː-- 'About twice as long as it would take Harry Lauder to sweep out Anthony Hordern's with a tooth brush.' A cynic, who had three shots, got in a neat oneː-- 'The rope is just long enough to hang the fool who tries to work the puzzle out.' So we could go on, as there seemed to be thousands of alleged solutions. One competitor's answer took up nearly a whole writing pad, and he went to the 20,000th decimal place in his calculations. In his case, the judges decided that life was as short as the rope, and the entry was handed over to the monkey and the monkey's mother, to be divided equally between them."

1922 11
"HE DID IT! (Photo) Mr. J. W . Robinson, of Macpherson Street, Ryde, the Winner of Mr. Maclurcan's Monkey and Weight Puzzle."

1922 12
First reference to John William Robinson as licensed amateur, albeit receiving only, callsign 2EN '''AMATEUR CALLS. NEW SOUTH WALES.''' The following is a list of Licences issued to amateurs in the State of New South Wales to the end of October, 1922:—. . . Call Signal. Name. Address. Nature of Licence. 2EN J. W. Robinson Macpherson St., Ryde R.

1923 11
"THE INKY WAY . . . 'Hambone' At a salary approaching four figures J. W. Robinson is deserting the Inky Way to exploit the ether with Farmer's Sydney broadcasting service. From the clerical side of the S. M. HERALD he graduated to the literary staff; then, after an interval at the war, he put in a couple of years managing the old sheet's Newcastle office. Latterly he has been doing his bit on the HERALD'S Tame Cat page. He is a member of the Institute of Radio Telegraphists, owns one of the best experimenting stations in Australia, is one of the four hon. radio inspectors for the Ma State and is still only 27 years old."

1925 04
Qld marriage registration for John William Robinson
 * Qld BDM
 * Marriage registration: John William Robinson
 * Marriage date: 24/04/1925
 * Spouse's name: Florence Victoria Burch
 * Registration details: 1925/B/37131

1925 05
"MR. J. W. ROBINSON to MISS FLORENCE BURCH. The marriage of Miss Florence Burch, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Burch, Fuller road, Elsternwick, with Mr. J. W. Robinson (manager Government Broadcasting Station, Brisbane) was quietly celebrated at St. Peter's Church of England, West End, Brisbane, on Friday, April 24. The bride was given away by Mr. L. Pike (secretary to the Premier of Queensland), and Mr. F. W. Stevens (chief engineer, Queensland Radio Service) was best man."

1929 01
Comprehensive survey of religious broadcasting around the world RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING By J. W. ROBINSON. The Director of the Queensland Radio Service (4QG) in this article outlines the various methods of rendering religious programmes adopted throughout the world.

In view of the discussion which arose in New South Wales recently regarding a reported, and probably unfounded, suggestion that the stations should arrange their own services and broadcast them from their studios, it is of interest to note the different systems adopted in various parts of the world in regard to the broadcasting of religious services. In some parts of America where the stations are owned by companies and where no license fees are paid by listeners it is a common practice for various religious organisations to hire certain stations for periods and to broadcast their services, mainly for propaganda purposes. One of the most notable religious broadcasts of this description was carried out a few months ago by the International Bible Students’ Association, which took over for one night the whole chain of stations owned and operated by the National Broadcasting Company and linked them together by means of land lines, so that a simultaneous broadcast of a service might be effected. The president of the association (Judge Rutherford) preached the sermon, and the I.B.S.A. claimed that their arrangements were responsible for the greatest simultaneous broadcast in history. The association did not only link up something like forty-seven big stations throughout America, but it also hired several powerful short-wave stations and cabled details regarding wave lengths and times of transmission to its representatives in various parts of the world. The representatives of the International Bible Students' Association in Australia received this detailed information and passed it on to the Australian broadcasting stations with the request that an attempt be made to relay the service. The scheme was undoubtedly an ambitious one, and, according to reports received by mail from America, successful. It excited a good deal of comment in some church circles in Australia at the time, and there were many people who asked why, if an association in America could arrange such a broadcast, was not somebody in authority in the Church of England wide awake enough to make arrangements for an Empire relay of a sermon by the Archbishop of Canterbury. All religious services broadcast in America are not, however, arranged by the churches or movements which hire the stations. A number of churches are linked up by land line with broadcasting stations in the ordinary way, and their services relayed.

THE RADIO VICAR. There is, however, a system in vogue in some parts of the United States which is of considerable interest. It comprises the appointment by some large station of a clergyman who is termed a "Radio Vicar." This gentleman arranges all the religious broadcasts for the particular station he serves, and, of course, conducts most of those services. Naturally the broadcasting station, being the direct employer of this clergyman, takes particular pains to see that his qualifications are of a very high order, and that he is, both mentally and by voice, a suitable person to conduct broadcast services. This system, however, while very interesting, is not one which gives a great deal of variety to listeners. Some of the larger stations which have appointed a "Radio Vicar" have, however, taken very great pains to see that the type of service he broadcasts is one which will suit all tastes. No particular creed or denomination is catered for, but the services broadcast are simple Christian devotions without any creed or dogma being mixed with them. It is interesting to note that there are many people in America who strongly advocate this type of religious broadcast. Many thinking religious leaders have expressed the opinion that such a system has enabled radio to do in two or three years what the various sections of the Church have been unable to do in many centuries — bind all the people of the nation together in simple Christian worship.

METHODS IN ENGLAND. In England methods adopted for broadcasting vary. The British Broadcasting Corporation relays from different churches, but its officers seem to be guided in the choice of their churches for the ability of different ministers to cater for a radio audience. The official organ of the British Broadcasting Corporation has not contained any definite statement of policy in regard to religious broadcasting lately, but a study of the programmes set out in it indicates that while variety of service is given, preference is also given to ministers who give the best types of services. One of the largest broadcasting stations operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts practically each Sunday from one large church, and the minister in charge of that church is referred to as a "Radio Vicar." It is significant, however, that all references to him in the British Broadcasting Corporation's official organ placed his title in inverted commas, apparently an indication that his title is an American adoption rather than a definite title bestowed by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

WHAT AUSTRALIA DOES. In Australia, as in other parts of the world various systems have been adopted since broadcasting first commenced. With a limited number of "A" class stations, none of which is available for hiring purposes, there has not, of course, been any letting-out of the stations to any particular section for the broadcasting of services purely for propaganda purposes. Numerous "B" class stations operate within the Commonwealth, however, and some of these have been utilised by religious organisations. One of them was, in fact, erected and operated by a religious body, but even in this case the majority of the transmissions were of general rather than of a religious nature. Most of the "A" grade stations have broadcast the best church services available, and have shown the strictest impartiality in their choice. Australian stations are (with the exception of 4QG) owned by companies, which, of course, direct their own affairs, and have therefore broadcast churches the services of which meet with their approval. It should be clearly understood that this does not mean that stations have broadcast churches the creeds of which meet with their approval, but the services of which were of a high enough standard, and were conducted in such a manner as to result in the stations being able to please their listeners. A glance through a file of any wireless magazine in Australia is sufficient to show that the actions of the managements of all stations during the past few years have been such as to give the public a wide range of variety in church services, and also that a very fair apportionment of services has been given to various churches.

QUEENSLAND SYSTEM. In Queensland a system for the allotment of church services has been in force for two or three years, and is very rigidly adhered to. The census figures for the State are taken, and from the section dealing with religion the percentages of the various denominations are carefully worked out. These figures show that the religions of Queensland are made up as follow:— Church of England, 41 per cent.; Roman Catholic, 24 per cent.; Presbyterian, 13 per cent.; Methodist, 11 per cent.; Congregational, 1 per cent.; Baptist, 2 per cent.; others, 8 per cent. Church service broadcasts are arranged strictly in terms of these percentages. A church service schedule is planned out once per year, and services are allotted various denominations in quantity according to the percentages shown in the census figures. This means that for every fifty Sundays the Church of England receives twenty-one (21) morning and evening broadcasts, the Roman Catholic Church twelve (12) broadcasts, and so on. One Roman Catholic Church is linked up with 4QG, and the authorities of that Church, knowing when their services will be broadcast, make their own special arrangements and their choice of preachers. Four Churches of England and the main Cathedral are joined by land line. One Presbyterian Church — the largest in the city — is wired up, and the dates for Presbyterian broadcasting are given to that church. The Presbyterian Church of Queensland then makes its own arrangements for the provision of broadcasting services. One Methodist church is linked up, and the Methodist Church is advised of the dates on which the station will broadcast. The station does not, of course, act arbitrarily in the allotment of dates. The schedule is prepared well ahead, and allotments are made, as far as possible, to suit the convenience of the ministers concerned. The effect of such an arrangement is obvious. All sections are catered for in true proportion, according to their religious beliefs, and the churches themselves have the opportunity of broadcasting placed in their own hands to make the most of. Take, for instance, the Presbyterian Church, St. Andrew’s, in Creek Street, Brisbane, is linked by land line, the whole cost of which is borne by 4QG. The Presbyterian Church of Queensland is then allotted 13 per cent. of the broadcasting dates for a year (this figure being the percentage of Presbyterians in Queensland), and makes its own arrangements for the provision of services. It knows a year ahead when it will be broadcast, and if special visits of prominent Presbyterian ministers are considered, they may be planned so as to take place at a time when a broadcasting date for Presbyterianism falls due. The only drawback to such a scheme is that some people claim that, from a listener's point of view, a simple, non-episcopalian service makes better broadcasting than a Church of England service, and that on a percentage basis the former services are smaller in number than the latter. This, however, is purely a matter of opinion, and the fact remains that the system is one which gives an absolutely fair allotment of services and which gives the various Churches a golden opportunity to provide of their very best for the sake of the vast unseen congregation.

WHAT OF THE CHURCHES? So much, however, for the attitude of the broadcasting stations to the Churches. What now of the attitude and actions of the Churches in regard to broadcasting? One of the main reasons quoted in support of the alleged desirability of a new system in New South Wales was that complaints were received from listeners in regard to the standard of church services placed on the air, and that in order to ensure that listeners receive of the best, it was considered better for the broadcasting station to take the absolute control of the arranging of services. Those who have listened carefully over a period of a few years must, unfortunately, realise that there is a great amount of truth in this contention. It is quite true that a large number of clergymen and ministers have failed to realise that the presence of a microphone in their churches has presented them with an opportunity for reaching and influencing for the Glory of God a far greater number of people in one night than they could hope to reach ordinarily in a life-time. It is true that many ministers have realised this to be a fact, and have striven to make their broadcast services something more than an ordinary devotion — have tried to make them specially suitable for broadcasting. Listeners in all parts of Australia have learned to look forward to some services (even though they are not from churches in which they profess belief) purely because the ministers concerned have attempted to arrange their services and sermons specially for radio. These ministers have realised the value of the movement to the Church, and have grasped the wonderful opportunity which broadcasting has placed in their hands. They have reaped the benefit and the reward in the pleasure they have given listeners of all creeds. Others, while being anxious to broadcast, have, however, neglected to realise the fact that once a microphone is placed in their church during a service the walls of the building no longer act as its boundaries, but that the utmost ends of the earth are the points which mark the extent of worshippers. It is not so very long ago since, at a synod meeting held in Australia, one minister attempted to have a resolution moved to the effect that the most solemn devotional portion of Church of England services be deleted from the broadcast stations. Fortunately for those who regard the Sunday church service broadcasts as an important spiritual episode of the week, his resolution met with the fate it deserved. The gentleman concerned was doubtless quite sincere in his beliefs but he neglected the fact that there are thousands of people who, by sickness, old age, and distance are unable to be present at divine service on Sundays, and to whom broadcasting has come as a direct blessing from God. The deletion of the most sacred portion of a service from these people would have ruined the whole effect of broadcasting them. There are numbers of churches the ministers of which regard broadcasting as most important, and co-operate very closely with their organists and choirmasters so as to provide special music on broadcasting days, but there are others who do not consider broadcasting important enough to acquaint their musical directors of the dates, and so attempt to give their hearers something special in the way of music. Recently one large church in a capital city was not ready for broadcasting a service, and its minister advised an engineer who inquired that the matter had been overlooked. This in spite of the fact that he had had in his possession a regularly set out schedule months before, and had written to the station concerned accepting the dates allotted and stating that he was quite prepared to broadcast. In the face of instances such as these, it is a matter for little wonderment that those controlling broadcasting stations are inclined to give very serious consideration to the institution of some scheme which will give their listeners a better sort of religious service. It may be argued that those controlling broadcasting could make a more careful selection and refuse to broadcast churches which did not make a special effort on behalf of the unseen congregation. Such a contention is to a certain extent correct, but has the objection that it might lead to favouritism. Besides, the selection of one or two best ministers and the granting to them of all broadcasting is not very much different from the American system of each station appointing its "Radio Vicar." Broadcasting stations are never free from criticism regarding the quality of their programmes, but this is a case in which the remedy (unless it be in the form of a studio-given service) does not entirely lie in the hands of the broadcasting officials. A large number of ministers have done much to make the broadcast service a great success, but a correspondingly large number seem to have failed to realise its value and usefulness, and seem to have failed to make the most of their opportunities. Surely the radio movement is so world-wide nowadays that these men should take more notice of their radio work and do a little better for the public.

(Start Photo Caption) Mr. J. W. Robinson (End Photo Caption)

1933
NSW BDM marriage registration for John William Robinson's sister Freda Mahala Robinson
 * Marriage registration
 * Registration Number: 63/1933
 * Groom's Family Name: PAGE
 * Groom's Given Name(s): WALTER G
 * Bride's Family Name(s): ROBINSON
 * Bride's Given Name(s): FREDA M
 * Registration District: SYDNEY

1933 02
Marriage Notice of John William Robinson's sister Freda Mahala Robinson "MARRIAGES. PAGE — ROBINSON — December 31, 1932 at St. Philip's, Church Hill by Bishop Kirkby, Walter youngest son of Mr. F. T. Page and late Mrs. Page, of Brisbane to Freda, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Robinson, Burwood-road, Concord."

1954
NSW BDM death registration for John William Robinson mother Mahala
 * Death registration
 * Name: ROBINSON, MAHALA   (82 YEARS OLD)
 * Registration Number: 1147/1954
 * Father's Given Name(s): EDWARD JOHN
 * Mother's Given Name(s): SUMMER HILL
 * Registration District: BURWOOD

1954 01
Death notice of John William Robinson's mother "ROBINSON, Mahala.— January 21, 1954, at a private hospital, beloved wife of the late John William Robinson (master mariner), and dearly loved mother of John William, Freda (Mrs. W. G. Page), and Edith (deceased), aged 82 years. At rest."

1963
NSW BDM death registration for John William Robinson
 * Death registration
 * Name: ROBINSON, JOHN WILLIAM
 * Registration Number: 12643/1963
 * Father's Given Name(s): JOHN WILLIAM
 * Mother's Given Name(s): MAHALA
 * Registration District: CHATSWOOD

1998 12
Death Notice for John William Robinson's sister Freda Mahala Robinson '''Surname	Given Names	Notice Type	Date	Event	Age	Other Details	Publication	Published PAGE	Freda Mahala	Death notice	06DEC1998	Death			Sydney Morning Herald	08DEC1998