ROBERTSON, George Gordon, Rev (1891-1954)
Assembly memorial minute 1954
George Gordon Robertson was born at Geelong in 1891, where his father, a noted evangelist, was long and closely associated with the Presbyterian community. George received his early education at Geelong and began his life’s work as a designer of blue prints for bridge building, in which calling he was entrusted with some important works.
Actuated by the call of the holy ministry, he entered the service of our Church, under the auspices of the Home Mission Committee, and laboured with great acceptance in Yallourn, Ultima, the Men's Camp at Hume Weir, and Bentleigh. Entering the Theological Hall, Ormond College he took the full course of training, after which he was sent as an Exit student to the Tylden and Trentham charge. He had three charges in all, his first being Tylden and Trentham which called him in the year 1931, and he was ordained and inducted in that year. His next charge was Traralgon, where he was inducted in 1934. His six years’ ministry there was followed by a nine and a half years’ ministry at St. Andrew’s, East Malvern, where he was inducted in the year 1940.
"Robbie”, as most of his friends called him, was a man who only had to be known to be loved - true, open, genuine, consecrated to his Lord and Master. He had an affectionate nature, which was shown by his entering into his people’s cares and troubles with a sympathy that was intimately personal. He loved his people, he cared for them, ever labouring for their good. In consequence, his name will never be forgotten by those who knew him as their minister and friend. He loved preaching. He was a man with a message, a man who gloried in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who had experienced its power and, therefore, it had become with him a dominant force in his nature, shaping the whole of his ministry - a ministry that was greatly blessed of God.
In presbytery affairs he gave himself unsparingly and, in his work as convener of the Gaols and Hospitals Committee, one of his great concerns was to help to lighten the way of the chaplains.
In all his work he was constantly and most unselfishly supported by his wife and daughter. Though he fought for some years heroically against increasing ill-health, he felt at last he must bring his public ministry to a close and, in the year 1949, he sent in his resignation to his presbytery. A great farewell meeting was held in the Church hall where he and his wife and daughter were presented with a handsome cheque and other gifts of love and appreciation. Thus closed a faithful and influential ministry.
The last few years of his life were exceptionally happy and, despite days of pain, he had other days when he could spend time in his garden and could be quiet and have leisure to read and time to think and pray. He was a keen lover of music and possessed a fine tenor voice.
Though now we sorrow because we shall see his face no more, yet we sorrow in the sure and certain hope of a glad reunion in Christ when the day dawns and the shadows flee away.
Mr. Robertson passed away on Wednesday, 1st September, 1954. To Mrs. Robertson and her daughter the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
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