A Catch Up with Robyn After Politics

Robyn McSweeney had a public life for nearly thirty years. Her career started with she was elected to Local Government for two terms with the Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire Council.

She explains, “During this time on local government I was also on the Commonwealth Aged Care Board and many State Government Boards including being an Advisory member with the South West Development Commission. I was Secretary of Geegeelup Village too for many years.

“During those years I became regionally focused on the South West, the South West is the most diverse regional economy of the State.

“It is also one of the most beautiful regions in Western Australia with its national parks, forests, beaches, wineries and ecotourism sites.”

During these years Robyn’s working life was as a Welfare Officer doing social work for Family and Children’s Services in the south west area as well as lecturing at TAFE.

“Children are precious and they are the future. We must continue to put in place community structures that support families raising their children.

“Politics was a natural progression as I was a Liberal Party Branch President. I held other Office bearer positions and at one stage I was one of the first female State Vice Presidents of the Party. This culminated in me being asked to run for a seat in the South West Upper House region.”

Robyn was elected to the thirty-sixth Parliament for the South West Region on 10 February 2001, and subsequently re-elected 2005, 2008, and 2013 for terms commencing 22 May.

“When I was elected in 2001 and entered Parliament. I found the travel was horrendous as I had vast distances to cover to serve my electorate, my office had to be in Albany.

“There was nothing glamorous about my political life, it was plain hard work and the worst of it I was living out of a suitcase.”

Robyn’s Electorate extended from Mandurah to Albany and everything in between.

“I served seven years in opposition and when I was 50 I had the privilege of being the Minister for Child Protection, Seniors and Volunteering, Youth, Women and Community Services.

“My motivation was to help people and to make legislation meaningful.

“My love of children was first and foremost and I set about to change many policies. A first in legislation for Australia was my Special Guardianship laws for children in foster care.

“For four and a half years I was a Minister and in the end I found I was burnt out.

“Not long after leaving the Ministry I had a spinal operation to solve a health condition, thankfully this allowed me to walk pain free again.

“For the last four years of my career I was one of the first if not the first female chair of the legislation Committee.”

“During this period I had trouble sleeping at night so began researching and writing about my Great Grandfather and the upshot of that was a 728 page book called Albert Edmund Cockram King of the Racecourse 1870-1943. He was the largest importer of thoroughbred horses into Australia in his time and owned Burswood Island, Belmont and Goodwood racecourses and his horses won most major races across Australia.

“My book was launched at Ascot by the Hon Norman Moore and Gina Rinehart was kind enough to speak. Bob Maumill launched my book in Pinjarra. This book is now sold worldwide and in many different languages.”

Robyn was defeated on 11 March 2017 her term concluded 21 May 2017.

On her life after politics, Robyn says. “After 16 years in Politics I left feeling happy with what I had achieved but knew I needed and wanted a quieter life. I came back home and for my 60th birthday I purchased a piano.

“Mrs Tomelty had taught me piano lessons when I was about 10 years of age for about 12 months. Then Danielle Mayors taught me for a year, and then I was on my own. I love playing piano but only for myself.

“I have always loved dogs so I now look after spoilt inside dogs while their owners have a holiday.

“We now have three grandchildren that we love to see and there is nothing better than being a Nannie.

“I do speaking engagements about the history of my book and history in general if I am asked.

“On the 17th of May I am giving a talk to the Midlands District Historical Society on my book.

“My life is quieter now but very enjoyable. Locally I am Patron of the Bridgetown Agricultural Society which I consider to be an honour. In Perth I am on a conservation committee at St Mary’s church in the valley where both sets of my Great Great, Great Grandparents Cockram and Buckingham are buried.

“When I am asked ‘do I miss politics’, my answer is no!

“One very important lesson I learnt whilst I was a politician was; In politics they say if you want a friend then you need to buy a dog!!”

Catching up with Robyn was Joy, She is still across most of the to and fro within the Liberal Party but is keeping her sage advice to herself.