Early Life in Melbourne
After a long and difficult three-month passage, the family arrived in Melbourne in March 1878. They were met by Robert’s uncle, who took them to their first Australian home; a little house at 4 Wangaratta Street, Richmond.
Upon arriving in Melbourne, Robert seems to have studied bookkeeping for a time at the Working Men’s College (now RMIT). However, as the fatherless elder of two sons, Robert’s duty was to make a living for the family, and he quickly went to work.
Robert’s first job was as debt collector for Mr E. Purcell, a wholesale draper in Swanston Street. Robert collected small, weekly debts from customers, some more reluctant than others, by riding his bicycle around to their homes.