Sir Rutherford N (Bob) Robertson was our second President in 1958. In recognition of his formative influence on plant science in Australia, the society began the biennial ‘Robertson Lectures’ in 1994 when Bob turned 81. These alternate with the JG Wood memorial lectures. Bob, together with his wife Mary, continued to be a regular participant at the annual conference until 1997. He was an inspiration to Australian plant scientists both young and old.