By Greg Blood

Robert ‘Bob” Hobson played a significant role in the development of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) from 1984 to 2000. During this period, he led the corporate and business services of both organisations through momentous changes and controversies.

Hobson grew up in Canberra and attended Canberra High School where he played basketball under NSW State Junior Coach Max Landy. In 1964, he received a basketball blues in the school’s sport awards. In ACT senior basketball competition, he played for Bouncers who were coached by Ron Harvey (3rd AIS Executive Director 1987-1989).  As a guard Hobson, was selected in ACT junior and senior teams in the 1960s and 1970s. Interestingly several of the basketballers that he played with or against later joined the AIS and ASC staff. There was a period that the AIS was accused of being run by ‘basketball’ community.

After public service career with Customs and Prime Minister and Cabinet, Hobson joined the AIS in 1984. It was a period where the AIS was transitioning with the departure of the inaugural Executive Director Don Talbot in 1983 to the appointment of academic Dr John Cheffers in mid 1984. Prior to Cheffers taking up his position, Paul Brettell, another basketballer, was appointed General Manager – this recognised the substantial growth of the AIS and the increased complexities in managing it. Hobson was appointed to lead corporate services (finance, personnel, facilities) – this role had previously been managed by Peter Bowman who then moved to managing AIS sports programs. It was in 1985 that the Hawke Government transitioned the AIS from incorporated company to a statutory authority as there was the need to have greater government control over its operations. Hobson was deeply involved in this transition and his previous public service experience greatly assisted.

At the time of Hobson’s appointment in 1984, the AIS was undertaking major facility development in conjunction with the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) – new swimming pool, gymnastics hall, tennis hall, sports science and medicine building, athlete residences and administration building. Hobson was involved in working with the NCDC to ensure these facilities met AIS sports requirements. In addition, the AIS assumed management of the National Sports Centre that included the National Indoor Sports Centre (AIS Arena) and National Athletics Stadium (Canberra Stadium) – facilities where AIS administration and coaches were located. As can be seen, these were significant construction projects that Hobson was heavily involved in managing. In addition, Hobson was involved in managing the resources required for the expansion of the AIS outside Canberra – hockey in Perth, squash and diving in Brisbane and new programs in Canberra – rowing and men’s water polo. These developments involved Hobson corporate skills and were undertaken in a period where government funding to the AIS was still limited to some extent and the need to manage the expectations of AIS sports programs.

Dr Cheffers management style particularly around decisions on spending led to accusations of mismanagement by several Daily Telegraph journalists in late 1985. This was difficult period for Hobson as he had to manage the fallout from decisions made by Cheffers. From my observations, Hobson always acted with integrity and would always be concerned with ensuring that government funds were spent accordingly. I’m sure he disagreed with many of Cheffers decisions.

In the late 1987, Hobson had to assist with the Hawke Government decision to merge the AIS with the ASC, with the former becoming a division of the ASC.  This was not an easy period with many inaugural AIS employees unhappy with this decision. Around the same time, the AIS was also embroiled in the Senate Drugs in Sport Inquiry with several former AIS coaches accused of doping practices. Hobson was responsible of working with solicitors contracted by the ASC to assist them with responses to Inquiry. So, Hobson’s first six years at the AIS/ASC were full of significant challenges but he never shirked responsibility and stayed on. I have spoken to Paul Brettell and Ron Harvey and they have described Hobson as their rock and greatly assisted them through this period of significant change and challenges.

The period from 1990 to 2000 at the ASC was led by Chief Executive Officer Jim Ferguson. It was a period where the Hawke and Keating Government made substantial investments into sport and the ASC through Maintain the Momentum (1992) and the Olympic Athlete Program (1996). The later resulted from Sydney winning the right to host 2000 Olympics and Paralympics. During this period, Hobson continued to lead the ASC’s sport and business services. Additional funding led to new AIS sports and ASC programs aimed at ensuring Australia had a successful 2000 Games. However, this period was not without its challenges as the newly elected Howard Government in 1996 whilst maintaining the Olympic Athlete Program, subjected the ASC to staffing freezes for a period of time.  Jim Ferguson told me that he relied heavily of Hobson from 1990 to 2000 and found him very dependable and imaginative – he could see things in the future and prepared for them.

From my perspective, I found ‘Hobbo’ as many of us called him very supportive of the work undertaken by the National Sport Information Centre and he would regularly come and talk to us and inquire how we were going. It was a period of great informality around the AIS/ASC.  Hobbo supported me when I was inadvertently dragged into the Senate Drugs in Sport Inquiry – I will never forget his support. Hobbo was a people’s person around the AIS/ASC.

On reflection, Hobson’s background in a ‘team’ sport prepared him for playing a significant role in the development of the AIS and ASC. AIS head coaches made many demands of the administration in the early days but Hobson would endeavour to meet their program needs despite financial restraints – he had a great understanding of high performance sport needs.

Hobson made the decision to leave the ASC in 2000 and move to the Sunshine Coast. His legacy was that he left the AIS / ASC in a stronger position and well positioned to contributing to Australia’s very successful Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games. Not many in the Australian sport system today will know of Bob Hobson but he was one of the leaders of the modern Australian sport system. Unlike many in sport administration today, he was willing to make a 16 year commitment to the AIS/ASC – in great and bad times.

Image source: More Than Sunshine & Vegemite: Success the Australian Way by Jim Ferguson.

Hobson died on 2 December 2025 on the Sunshine Coast.

Reflection from John Purnell (JP), AIS Marketing and Public Relations Manager

I met Bob Hobson when I was involved with ACT Basketball in the 70s. He was part of an emerging group of ‘young guns’ of basketball that formed ‘Bouncers’ club and dominated the local basketball scene. Many of them went on to represent ACT basketball in the South East Conference competition against the best East Coast teams. Their coach was basketball senior and veteran Ron Harvey.  Hobbo, as he was known, was heavily involved with some high profile players in his team that represented Australia.

The long lasting humorous story I always remember about Hobbo was he played with contact lenses. Inevitably when they were dislodged through play, the referees would stop the game and the players would crawl around the court looking for Hobbo’s contacts!!!!!   Our next meeting was when I was appointed to a new role at the AIS in 1983 and we became very close ‘mates’ with our lunch time runs together including Peter Bowman, Pat Clohessy, Peter Fricker, Ross Smith and others. Over time Hobbo demonstrated a great contribution to the AIS’s development with loyalty, vision and integrity which I admired and enjoyed. When he retired, Bob and wife Beth moved to the Sunshine Coast then Noosa. Marilyn and I were on the Gold Coast and made many trips to Noosa and caught up regularly with laughter, reminiscing and always a nice vino in hand.  He was a true Aussie ‘mate’ throughout our times together and will be sadly missed by Marilyn and me. RIP Hobbo and best to Beth in these difficult times  JP

Reflection from Jim Ferguson ASC CEO 1990-2000

I am greatly saddened to hear of the passing of Bob Hobson. Bob made an enormous contribution to the Australian Sports Commission and to Australian sport. He was a rock within the organisation, always sensible, reliable and considerate. I depended greatly on his good sense and support. Bob was a manager with imagination, always looking for new and better ways to do things. He knew his way around the public service and government processes to great advantage to the Commission. Modest in his personal dealings, a lot of his wok would not have been obvious to many of the individuals in the sports sector, but his good sense and sound management certainly improved their capacity for success. Australian sport was well served by his work, which contributed greatly to the success of our national system. He was well liked by all and will be sadly missed. But what a reputation to leave behind!

Reflection from Dr Peter Fricker, OAM \AIS 1981-2011, AIS Director 2005-2011

I was at the AIS as a medical officer (sports medicine practitioner) when Bob arrived at the Australian Sports Commission. We hit it off immediately. Hobbo, as he was always known, was the most engaging, sincere and supportive colleague you could wish for. He was always calm and measured, and I still recall his “thinking” expression before he offered an opinion…which was always helpful.
He was a mentor to me in my early days in administration, which was taking me out of pure clinical practice, and I still remember his observations on politics, governance, and particularly dealing with Ministers!
My wife, Robyn, and I caught up with Bob and Beth a few times after their move to the Sunshine Coast and we managed to play some golf together, dine at the local Thai restaurant and reminisce.
Bob was a true friend, a gentleman and an enormous contributor to sport and the community. We will miss him dearly, and he will never be forgotten.

Past AIS Leaders – Don Talbot, Prof John Bloomfield, Peter Bowman