From a young age Robert studied drama in New Zealand and pursued a career in theatre appearing on stage as a young man with an even younger Kiri Te Kanawa the now famous opera singer. In Britain on a working holiday he appeared in television productions with Eric Sykes and Hattie Jacques. It was Sykes who convinced Robert that his voice would be suited for radio and so followed a long and distinguished career in radio and television culminating in the Queen’s Service Medal, (QSM) awarded for services to public broadcasting and conservation in New Zealand. He served his community for many years on the Board of Trustees with the World Wildlife Fund (NZ) where he was awarded a Fellowship (fwwfn) and life membership. He also served on the Executive committees of Conservation New Zealand devising educational programs for National Conservation Week and the National Society of Alcohol and Drug Dependence administering respite care.

Robert has worked for commercial and non-commercial stations in New Zealand, Western Australia and Queensland over 40 years, including three years announcing with the ABC in Perth, 22 years for National Radio in New Zealand receiving several awards for program excellence. He particularly liked documentary work and became skilled at research and writing. For twelve years he has been Trainer Coordinator with a multicultural radio station 4EBFM in Brisbane, where he is a nationally accredited trainer.

Robert has conducted training with Griffith University’s Department of Linguistics, training students from Hong Kong and Europe, he particularly enjoys working with people who have English as a second language for the many challenges communication brings.

With a keen interest in the War Between the States he is a member of the American Civil War Round Table, Queensland. Formerly Brigadier General with the Confederate High Command in New Zealand, a rank he received from Nashville Tennessee, he commanded his own Civil War reenactment unit. Robert continues a long interest in writing and has a particular passion for poetry and the study of birdlife. He has published several poems, records and CD’s of birdcalls in New Zealand and one remains a best seller. An enthusiastic supporter of Maori culture, Robert’s Maori name is Ropata, although not a Maori himself, he’s a member of the Maori program group at 4EBFM. 

A father of two children, his son Robert is a policeman in New Zealand and daughter Lydia is a Marine Biologist now living in California.

Robert Taylor also directs Queensland Broadcasting Academy with an office on the Gold Coast.