Tributes & Memories
Warmth, Strategy, and Generosity of Spirit
Edwards applied his extraordinary ability to "strategise, to anticipate responses and potential setbacks" to institutional governance, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the National Museum of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, and transforming the Museum of Victoria.
His leadership saw the Museum of Victoria transition from a "dry and dusty institution" to a dynamic center of learning. Personally, Bob was known for his "high moral seriousness with the widest human sympathy, and (almost) unfailing humour".
He was a generous mentor who focused on helping others succeed, often remaining discreetly in the background. His life partner, Cath, was acknowledged as the essential collaborator, with son David noting that without her unfailing devotion, "we would be telling a very different story here today".
John McDonald
(St Mary's Church, St Mary's,
Adelaide 14 June 2023)
"...I'm merely scraping the surface, making a simple list of projects that were distinguished by their complexity, and the enormous time and effort they required. In each instance, the actual details would be worthy of a book. Bob himself is worthy of a very big book. Or a set of encyclopaedias. We remember him for the strings he was able to pull, but also for the love and affection he inspired in every one that got to know him.
If anyone manages to write his biography it will be a kind of secret history, the story of a cultural power player who devoted himself unselfishly to the greater good of his country. One had to have an innate love of people to do what Bob did, and to maintain friendships from Arnhem Land to London and Paris. One had to have a very particular sort of mind, and steely determination to succeed.
Bob was a lucid thinker and a man of huge heart. With his passing we have lost Austrlia's greatest invisible cultural monument. We never saw the whole picture during his long life, but today we realise what a giant he was and mourn the loss of an irreplaceable personality."
Geoffrey Maslen
"Apart from an uncanny ability to establish warm relations with people in every walk of life...Edwards's greatest attribute is an irrepressible enthusiasm coupled with a drive to succeed. '
Bob is a cross between Benny Hill and Field Marshal Montgomery,' a friend once observed, referring to the ever-present good humour that masks an iron resolve."
Saar van Heugten
(Van Gogh and the seasons)
"Few who met Bob failed to warm to the charm of his personality, or to succumb to the persistence of his advocacy.
Much of Bob Edwards's work has been undertaken behind the scenes, self-effacingly but persistently, persuading the right people with the right arguments to do the right thing.".
Art Gallery South Australia
"With the loss of Bob Edwards, Australia has lost a gentle, magnanimous giant of our cultural institutions. Though his contribution to the field remains largely unsung, the shapes of our cities' landscapes, and the nature of the of the public's free engagement with he arts, was immeasurably transformed by his endless passion and influence.".
Philip Jones
(South Australia Museum)
"...Edwards had few equals in terms of producing a lasting and coherent record of Aboriginal culture within and beyond the state during his time at the SA Museum. He grasped the opportunities to work closely with Aboriginal people to ensure that their view of culture would take primacy wherever possible...".
Neil MacGregor
"...we never spent time together without many anecdotes, some very serious conversations about politics or morality, and always - always - lots of laughter. ...along with all this, he became to me - as to so many others - not just a colleague, but a dear friend."
Doug Hall
"Bob is like the family Labrador who always greets you with infectious enthusiasm. But beneath that charm is someone with enormous intelligence, a tremendous background in a range of cultural areas - and one of the best networkers you will ever find."
"In terms of Australian cultural policy...over the last few decades, Bob Edwards has been a critical influence in raising awareness among governments and their agencies about Aboriginal material culture, developing new museums, the importance of touring exhibitions, and what it all means to Australia."
Professor Claire Smith FAHA
(Australian Academy of the Humanities)
"He leaves a remarkable legacy. Across his career, he was a pioneer in the systematic study of Australia rock art, founder and landmark director of some of Australia's most important cultural institutions, consummate mandarin who established deep connections between Australia and the international art world and dedicated champion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights.".
Anne McCormick
(Antiquarian Bookseller)
"Bob's gentle demeanour veils a strong character; he is an intelligent collector and an insightful man. Over the decades we have been friends, our shared bookshop cups of tea have always been accompanied by wide-ranging and fascinating discussions....nothing has been too big or small for us to discuss. Bob has an open mind and a generous spirit...".
Peter Stanley
(Bob Edwards: A tribute)
"Bob Edwards is an ordinary name; about as ordinary as you can get. But the Bob Edwards the museum world admires ask without question, one of the ot important figures in Australia's cultural history over the past 30 odd years. Our Edwards has been a leading curator of anthropology, a key figure in the study of indigenous art and culture, a museum director and the progenitor of a revolution in Australia's entree to world culture..".
Memories
Share Memories
Leave your heartfelt messages and tributes here.