The First Question Society
Continuing Jeff Robinson's legacy of sustainability leadership, generating ripples of hope and transformation.
The First Question Society
Continuing Jeff Robinson's legacy of sustainability leadership, generating ripples of hope and transformation.
How Jeff's legacy lives on
From scholarships and community forums to a living forest. Here is where Jeff's spirit of curiosity, generosity and determination takes root and grows.
In memory of Jeff, his family, the Williamson Community Leadership Program '05 year group, and the First Question Society have come together to establish an ongoing Memorial Fund.
Scholarships from the Fund will support upcoming and inspiring leaders in the field of sustainability in the built environment, and the environment more broadly, to access Leadership Victoria (LV) programs.
We aim to raise $30,000 annually to offer two scholarships.
Two scholarships awarded annually. Every donation moves us closer.
Jeff Robinson was a Fellow of LV's flagship Williamson Community Leadership Program, and stood out immediately amongst his 2005 cohort for his enquiring mind and penchant for asking questions, and was usually the first to ask.
Donate to the Fund
A unique, immersive, 10-month long program for experienced leaders. Jeff was a Fellow of this program, cohort of 2005.
Find out moreA 5-day program for emerging leaders, and more established leaders who are new to formal leadership development.
Find out moreFocused on purpose, ethics and values, developing adaptive leaders who are inquisitive, reflective, and wanting to make a difference.
Find out moreCo-founded by Jeff Robinson in 2022, the Forum brings together sustainability practitioners to share knowledge, develop a new narrative, and accelerate the transition towards a regenerative future for Melbourne.
During Melbourne's extended COVID lockdown of more than 260 days, Jeff Robinson and a small group of practitioners felt the profound loss of connection. In January 2022, they met at the North Point Café in Brighton and resolved to launch something new.
The Melbourne Regenerative Design Forum (originally called Regen Places) was formed to provide a home for people and organisations who seek to be champions for a regenerative built and natural environment.
With the support of the First Question Society, the Forum continues to grow its influence and impact, covering topics from biophilic design to carbon neutrality, nature-positive design and regenerative timber.
Visit the Forum
In lieu of flowers, many joined in to help restore legally protected, biodiverse native forests in Australia in Jeff and Carolyn's honour, to commemorate their life's work and create a legacy that grows over time.
"Jeff & Carolyn Robinson's Sustainable Forest" is planted at Ledcourt, located on Jardwadjali & Djabwurung Country, adjacent to the northern part of the Grampians National Park in Victoria.
The forest is possible thanks to Greenfleet. On Thursday 25 July, a choir of Jeff's dearest planted 1,000 native trees across 4 hectares. Species planted include Australian Blackwood, Sweet Bursaria, and Yellow Box.
The planting day was about connection, forging new friendships and reigniting old ones, while connecting to the land of his legacy. This forest is for his family and for their generations to come.
Each year, we will share the update of the growth and progress of the biodiversity brought back to the land and region.
Greenfleet has been protecting our climate by restoring native forests for over 25 years, planting over 10.8 million trees across Australia and New Zealand. Trees are legally protected for 100 years.
Visit GreenfleetJeff's impact is recognised across the industry through awards and gatherings in his name.
A new award introduced by CIBSE ANZ in 2024 to honour Jeff ("the tallest tree") at the Young Engineers Awards evening.
Read more
Presented at the Property Council of Australia Victorian People in Property Awards on 26 June 2024. Won by James Wewer (LendLease) and Marc Gillespie (CBUS Property).
Read more
The Melbourne FQS team gathered at the Mitre Tavern (5 Bank Place) on St Patrick's Day to raise a glass, share memories and connect in Jeff's name. The spirit of his gatherings lives on.
Hosted by Tava Darakamaran at Sculptform, 50 Queen Street Melbourne. AI image synthesis has been hailed as the most transformative development in image making since the invention of photography. What does this mean for photographers?
