Hailing from Barcaldine in rural Queensland, Old Boy Rob McGavin (1986) entered Churchie in year 9 as a boarder. In his senior year he was a Prefect and Captain of Strong House. From school, Rob went to work on stations across the Australian outback, before furthering his studies at Marcus Oldham College in Geelong, which is Australia’s only independent agribusiness and agricultural business management college. Rob is now the current Chairman of the college.

In 1998, Rob, together with college mate Paul Riordan, founded Cobram Estate Olives with the planting of the first olive tree. With 3 million olive trees producing 13 million litres of high-quality olive oil annually, Cobram Estate Olives is now Australia’s largest vertically integrated extra virgin olive producer.

As part of a recent visit back to Churchie along with his brother and fellow Old Boy Tim McGavin (1988), Rob enjoyed breakfast with the borders in the School House dining room.

In a question-and-answer session that followed, facilitated by senior boarders Charlie and Jack, Rob’s messages were simple yet powerful; do what is right - not what is easy, operate with honesty and integrity, if there’s any doubt don’t do it, you only need one good idea. The key overriding messages from Rob to the boys were to enjoy their time at Churchie, to appreciate the privilege of being here and always make others feel valued.