William (Bill) Horace Robinson
Mayor of Preston (1943-1944 & 1947-1948)
William “Bill” Robinson (1897 – 1951) arrived in Preston in 1931 and established a menswear store in High Street Preston. Quickly immersing himself into the local community Robinson took an active part in sporting organizations, particularly football and cricket.
By 1938 he was elected to Preston Council as the representative of West Ward. In 1943-44 and again in 1947-48 he served as Mayor of Preston. As Councillor he worked hard for the establishment of P.A.N.C.H. (Preston and Northcote Community Hospital) and although he died before the hospital was completed, the W. H. Robinson Memorial Ward was named after him. A reserve in Oakover Road in Reservoir was also named in his honour.
Robinson’s wife, Alice, also took an active role in the community and was instrumental in forming the Preston Ladies’ Auxiliary for P.A.N.C.H.
Sources
Preston Historical Society (1968). Brief biographies of prominent Preston People. Preston, Vic: Author.
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