Irvin Peter Rockman

CBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

(6 April 1938 – 30 August 2010) was an Australian

politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...

, businessman, and

hotelier A hotel manager, hotelier, or lodging manager is a person who manages the operation of a hotel, motel, resort, or other lodging-related establishment. Management of a hotel operation includes, but is not limited to: management of hotel staff, b ...

who served as

Lord Mayor of Melbourne This is a list of mayors and lord mayors of the City of Melbourne, a local government area of Victoria, Australia. Mayors (1842–1902) Lord mayors (1902–1980) The title of "Lord Mayor" was conferred on the position of mayor by King ...

from 1977 to 1979. In the early 1960s he established a chain of luxury motels known as the Parkroyal in Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. Designed by Theodore Bertram, they were distinguished by a large parabolic arch at the entrance. Rockman was alleged to have been involved in a 1988 drug smuggling scandal, but no charges were ever filed and Rockman maintained his innocence.

Personal life

Rockman was born on 6 April 1938 to Norman and Susie Rockman. His father's family had fled Poland due to anti-Jewish persecution, as had his mother's family, who had fled from Ukraine. They settled in Melbourne, where Norman Rockman established a chain of clothing stores, which operated under the family name. Rockman attended high school at Wesley College. He then attended the

University of Melbourne The University of Melbourne (colloquially known as Melbourne University) is a public university, public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in the state ...

, where he undertook a commerce degree. Rockman was also a well-known

underwater diver Underwater diving, as a human activity, is the practice of descending below the water's surface to interact with the environment. It is also often referred to as diving, an ambiguous term with several possible meanings, depending on context ...

. Irvin Rockman was married three times and had six children.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rockman, Irvin 1938 births 2010 deaths Jewish Australian politicians Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Mayors and lord mayors of Melbourne Businesspeople from Melbourne University of Melbourne alumni Deaths from cancer in Victoria (state) Australian underwater divers 20th-century mayors of places in Australia