Rob started his education doing correspondence at home followed by the Barcaldine State School and then four years at the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane.

From 1971 to 2012 Rob was a shearer, timber cutter, landholder, and a cafe and motel owner with his wife Deb.

He was elected to the Barcaldine Shire Council in 2000 as a councillor for the 2000/2004 term. He was then elected Mayor of the Barcaldine Shire Council from 2004 to 2008. Post amalgamation in 2008 Rob was elected Mayor of the Barcaldine Regional Council, a position he held for 12 years through to 2020.

For the last four years he has worked for Professor Ross Garnaut at Sunshot Industries and Zen Energy helping, on the ground, in building the Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone.

Rob was returned as Mayor of the Barcaldine Regional Council at the 2024 Local Government election.

Rob has served on several boards including:

• Barcaldine Club (2 terms)
• Barcaldine Race Club (6 years)
• Outback Queensland Tourism Board (18 years)
• Local Government Association of Queensland’s policy executive
• The Rural Financial Counselling Service
• RESQ
• Red Ridge (Interior Queensland)

His passions are serving the people of the bush in Local Government, family, gardening and fishing.