Robert Gibson (businessman)

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Sir Robert Gibson (4 November 1863 – 1 January 1934) was a Scottish-born Australian businessman who served as president of the Associated Chambers of Manufactures of Australia.

Born in Falkirk, Scotland, he was the third son of a metal manufacturer. After leaving Falkirk High School, he worked at the Camelon Iron Company and studied art and design in Glasgow. He moved up to become designer and then manager of Camelon’s London office. In 1890 he married Winifred Moore and sailed to Australia the same day.

In Melbourne he worked as a designer for about six years, then founded the Austral Manufacturing Company in 1897. About ten years later he started Lux Foundry and kept a controlling interest in both businesses for the rest of his life.

During World War I he contributed to coal, gas, and electric power rationing as a member of the coal board. He also served as an honorary commissioner to administer the repatriation act and was deputy chairman until 1920. He chaired the royal commission on federal economics and helped form the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, showing strong support for the Yallourn works.

In 1924 he joined the Commonwealth Bank board, became chairman in 1926, and held the role for the rest of his life. He also sat on the boards of several other companies and advised the government on Commonwealth Oil Refineries. Gibson played a key role in economic policy during the 1920s, especially in resisting inflation, and faced attempts to remove him from the bank board, which failed. On 6 May 1931 he spoke before the Senate about the Commonwealth Bank bill with great skill, and many called his performance the finest they’d seen.

He fell seriously ill in 1933 and died in South Yarra, Victoria, on 1 January 1934. He was survived by Lady Gibson, two sons and five daughters. He had been honoured with CBE in 1918, KBE in 1920, and GBE in 1932.