Robyn Hollands was inducted on 19 February 2020 with the classification Corporate Designee for RedR Australia, corporate member. International Humanitarian Agency
Robyn was born in Melbourne (Father Clive Hollands – current Rotarian at RCM for 38 years). Educated at Korowa Anglican Girls School Glen Iris and St Aidan’s in Brisbane, Robyn attended University of Melbourne and QLD University completing a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Bachelor of Arts (Music ).
Robyn’s career began in the arts/entertainment industry working for PolyGram Classics at HQ in Sydney for the international classical labels DG, Decca and Phillips and Verve Jazz and local labels ABC Classics and Jazz. As National Sales and Publicity Manager she met some of the great musicians in the world including Pavarotti, Herbie Hancock, Sting touring both nationally and internationally.
A year off in the USA and the UK gave her the opportunity to hear the great jazz festivals of the world and meet her icons in their back garden. Back to Australia and a short contract with ABC Classic FM as PR manager – highlight working with the great interviewer Margaret Throsby and having her office/library full of autobiographies at Robyn’s disposal.
From there Robyn was invited to apply for a role in management at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra where she held two roles over 9 years – PR manager and Director of Business Development. Touring with 150 people and two jumbos full of instruments – Robyn was part of the management team who oversaw successful tours to Europe twice, China and Russia.
Highlight you ask? – pitching to ABC Foreign Correspondent and joining their crew in St Petersburg and Moscow filming daily to achieve 14 minutes of compelling footage – titled The Russians returning to Russia. This was Russia over 20 years ago.
It was in Paris on the second European tour in 2006 that Robyn whilst meeting with the Australian Ambassador, met Kirsten Sayers who was then Trade Commissioner Austrade. Today they are working at RedR together doing great things and changing the world.
Back to the UK in 2007 and Robyn was invited to be interviewed for her next posting as Director of Business Development at The Barbican in London. Robyn was in London for nearly six years and also held at role at Somerset House in Business Development. She thoroughly enjoyed life in Old Blighty and attended many other activities whilst working there. These activities included joining the Hyde Park Tennis Club, forming London Ladies Book Club, attending one of the summer garden parties at Buckingham Palace, attending the Order of the Garter Ceremony, Royal Ascot Royal enclosure and the Trooping of the Colours.
Returning to Melbourne in 2012 is where we find Robyn today – she is happily settled in Mornington with her new husband Craig. Robyn now works at RedR Australia since 2016 managing the domestic/corporate partnerships for the organisation and sees her role as very important today in the ever expanding humanitarian landscape whereby private sector support plays an enormous role in assisting communities during times of crisis.
Rotary Melbourne warmly welcomes Robyn Hollands.
