by Amanda (Leahy) Cook
Robin Hodgson was a colourful and generous person throughout her life. Born on 11 December 1945 to Jon and Elaine Bruce, in Dandenong Hospital, Victoria, Robin grew up in Melbourne but she was keen to explore the world and in 1966 the 21 year old Robin Bruce moved to Port Moresby on her own to start her first job as a secretary to the wife of the Australian Administrator—a prestigious and secure position. However, after a few months she was ready for a change and decided to explore new opportunities.
In 1969, determined to make the most of her time in PNG, Robin sought a new job and reached out to her friend Andrée Millar OBE, botanist and journalist whom she had met at Government House. Andrée welcomed her to Lae and helped her secure a job with Ansett Airlines. Robin became a tourist liaison officer, assisting visitors arriving in Lae, which was the main gateway to PNG’s cultural and tribal festivals. Lae at that time had a vibrant social life, with frequent gatherings and parties at hotels and private residences.
While in Lae, Robin met Richard Leahy. Their paths frequently crossed, and their connection deepened over time. Richard was a pilot who owned his own plane, flying trade goods and coffee from villages to Lae for processing and export. He was also a crocodile hunter, selling skins to markets in Singapore and London. Robin and Richard were married in May 1970 and began their life together in a house that Richard had bought for them.
Traveling for artefact buying was one of Robin’s favourite parts of life in PNG. Every trip was a learning experience. When traveling along the Sepik River, they would notify villagers in advance, and word would spread quickly. Upon arrival, villagers would set up impromptu markets, showcasing intricate carvings, masks, and other cultural pieces for sale. The artefacts would then be transported back to Lae for resale.
Another significant buying destination was the Trobriand Islands, known for their distinct carvings. Unlike the Sepik style, Trobriand pieces were more statuesque, often carved from ebony and kwila. While some villagers brought their carvings directly to her, she also travelled once or twice a year to the villages to source pieces herself. By 1972 Robin and Richard had accumulated a large collection of PNG artefacts and they decided to open their first shop. From the beginning, the Melanesian Art Centre proved to be a profitable venture and an immediate outlet for their collections.
Robin and Richard’s first few years in the business were easy, as they had no children. However, their family soon grew: Nicholas was born in 1973, and Amanda was born in 1976. On both occasions Robin returned to give birth in Frankston, Victoria where Robin’s parents resided at the time.
Robin’s business continued to grow, and she soon moved to larger premises in Lae as well as setting up two smaller shops at The Melanesian Hotel and the Lae International Hotel. Once Nicholas and Amanda were at boarding school, she continued to create a respected name for herself as not only an artefact dealer but a mentor and advisor to the many artists that she saw. Her Trobriand and Sepik buying trips continued to be her favourite places to visit along with her Wednesday Buying days in her shop where artists would come from all over to sell their work to her.
Robin and Richard parted ways in 1996 and shortly afterwards she met Don Hodgson who was the financial controller for Lutheran Shipping in Lae. They fell in love immediately and after a few years moved to Madang in 2002 for a change and then eventually in 2003 they retired to Sydney.
Robin quickly became a part of the Oceanic Arts Society where she made some great friends. She took on the position of Secretary for many years which she loved, and it kept her very busy. She was also involved with the PNGAA and the Lindesay Gardening Group.
After Don passed away in a caravanning accident in 2010, the OAS and other volunteering organisations became her life, along with Amanda and her family who live in Sydney and Nicholas who lives in Brisbane. Robin spent most of her later years helping with her grandchildren, travelling and visiting Nicholas.
Robin passed away in her apartment surrounded by family love and her beloved artefact collection on 6 March 2025. She was a stoic, wonderful and colourful person and we miss her dearly.
“I first met Robin at New Guinea Arts in Dymock’s building when they had one of their “openings”. Robin was down here to see her children and catch a lecture (if possible) given by the OAS.
I stayed with Robin and Don in Lae in 2000 after she had closed the Melanesian Arts Centre in Lae, preparatory to moving back to Sydney permanently.
When I decided after 14 years to retire as secretary of OAS, luckily Robin said she would take on the onerous task. She did this thoroughly and conscientiously for many years.
Robin was not just an administrator- no, she loved the art of the people of PNG and amassed a large personal collection.
Her cheerful greeting at the desk when one walked into a meeting will be greatly missed.”
Elizabeth Pryce
“Robin’s contribution to the Oceanic Art Society was not only generous but also her hard work was very important to the Society. It would not have survived without her input.
It is due to Robin that I was appointed President of the OAS between 2017 and 2023 as I was both unqualified and unprepared. As long-serving Secretary of the OAS, Robin had actually been the de facto President for some time and had almost single-handedly kept it going with help from other Committee members after a brief but rapid turnover of Presidents had created a febrile atmosphere at Executive meetings.
Robin announced to us one day prior to the AGM (where I was to be an independent scrutineer of the ballot) that she had read my CV and that she was going to propose me for the vacant job of President, more-or-less whether I liked it or not. I now realise that metaphorical arm-twisting was a regular part of Robin’s negotiation tactics, but I was not forewarned!”
Bill Rathmell
