Robinson, Thomas George

Toowomba’s third Mayor was a stock and land salesman by occupation. Thomas George Robinson, elected in 1865, was the first Australian-born Mayor in the new municipality.

Born in the Hawkesbury River district in New South Wales on February 14, 1834, Robinson arrived in Toowoomba in 1859. He started as a stock and land salesman in 1860 under the firm name of T.G. Robinson and Company.

According to Toowoomba historian Mr Ron Douglas, records show Robinson established a large tannery which occupied the site of the former Luckona Hotel on Corner of Ruthven and Campbell streets.

Thomas Robinson was elected an alderman at the Council by-election in 1864 and became Mayor the following year. He did not seek re-election to Council after his term as Mayor.

Connected with various societies and progressive movements for advancement of the town, he was instrumental in introducing stud stock to Toowoomba.

In 1856 he married Miss Shenton, sister of S Shenton, who was an Ipswich Mayor for many years.

Thomas Robinson and a German gardener names Kube were responsible for the planting of Norfolk Pines at Clifford Park racecourse.

The former Mayor lived with his wife and family of five in a shingle-roofed house named “Raceview” located opposite the racecourse. Robinson moved from the property in 1880 and brought a property named “Hursley”.

He died there on March 28, 1883.