Robert Risson

in 1930. Risson is in the front row, second from the left. Robert Joseph Henry Risson was born on 20 April 1901 in Ma Ma Creek, Queensland. He attended Gatton State High School, passing the Senior Public Examination in November 1918, and matriculated to The University of Queensland where he studied Civil Engineering. He graduated in 1922/3 and obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (civil). At university Risson studied at King's College and participated in social events, debates, and became involved with the University of Queensland Rugby Club, becoming president by 1933. ==Brisbane Tramways Trust==

In June 1923, Risson was employed by the Brisbane Tramways Trust as a junior civil engineer, at an annual wage of £250. Risson's duties with the Brisbane tramways were altered in 1927, following the adoption of a report by Brisbane City Council, which was in control of Brisbane's tram network at that time. In 1933, Risson assisted the Brisbane Tramways constructional engineer in overseeing track renewal in central Brisbane, and was Permanent Way Engineer by 1939. Brisbane's tramways undertook an expansion and modernisation program following World War II, introducing modern vehicles and utilising mass-concrete tram track construction methods. ==Military career==

shakes hands with Lieutenant Colonel Risson, before inspecting the 9th Division, engineers, Tripoli, Syria, 1942. Risson's military career started on 15 May 1933, when he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Australian Engineers, which became the Royal Australian Engineers in 1936. He was promoted to captain on 7 September 1936. On 13 October 1939, Risson was sent to the Middle East, where he commanded the 2/3rd Field Company, and then the 7th Division Engineers from 29 May 1941 to 23 January 1942, engaging in the 1941 Siege of Tobruk, where he played a vital role in improving defences, and then in the Syria–Lebanon campaign. On 24 January 1942 he assumed command of the 9th Division Engineers, which he led in the First Battle of El Alamein and the Second Battle of El Alamein. After the 9th Division returned home in 1943, he was promoted to brigadier on 23 March 1943, and became Chief Engineer of II Corps, participating in the New Guinea campaign. He became Chief Engineer of I Corps on 12 April 1944, when the corps number changed. He was temporarily attached to Allied Land Forces Headquarters (LHQ) from 21 May 1944 to 1 July 1944, but returned to command the engineers in the 1945 Borneo campaign. While Risson was overseas, Gwen also participated in the war effort, commanding Brisbane's Women's Air Training Corps in 1940. She stated the goal was for women to do the jobs of men on the ground, "releas[ing] them for actual flying." She was sent to Melbourne for administrative training in 1941. Risson continued his military career after the Second World War with the Citizen Military Forces (CMF), He held that post until 1956, and served as the CMF Member of the Military Board from 1957 to 1958. was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1942 for his role in the Siege of Tobruk, and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1945 for his work in New Guinea; and was Mentioned in Despatches in 1941 and 1943 for actions in Syria and El Alamein, respectively. Risson was also awarded the Efficiency Decoration. ==Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board==

Following Hector Hercules Bell's decision in 1949 to retire as Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board chairman, the State Government of Victoria, in April 1949, empowered a committee to start vetting applications for his replacement. Risson was announced as the incoming MMTB chairman in June 1949, assuming the role on 1 October, and becoming the MMTB's third chairman. Risson's era saw ongoing industrial disputes, regarding pay, bus operation (following one protracted industrial dispute, the Arbitration Commission ruled that there be two-person operation of 31+ seat buses), and even the implementation of a summer uniform. There were also cuts to all-night and Sunday tram services, and the abandonment of the Point Ormond line, and Footscray system. These cuts were part of Risson's economy drive, justified by low patronage and a need to decrease costs. which now has a route length of , making it the largest tram network in the world. Academic Graeme Turnbull argues that "the retention of the Melbourne tramway system during this period is due almost solely to Sir Robert's strong management", Further, Victorian Transport Minister Alan Brown called Risson "the man who deserves full credit for saving our city's trams" in 1994, and columnist Bruce Guthrie described Risson as "the man who saved our trams." To honour Risson's legacy the tram terminus in Elizabeth Street was named after him by Brown in 1994. but they were removed when the tram was re-decorated in PTV livery in June 2014. ==Public service==

Risson participated in a variety of organisations through his life. Risson became a Freemason in 1961, holding a number of positions including as Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria between 1974 and 1976. He was a fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers; Institution of Engineers of Australia; Australian Institute of Management; and a member of the Institute of Transport. Further, he was Chief Commissioner of the Australian Boy Scouts Association from 1958 to 1963; President of the Good Neighbour Council from 1963 to 1968; Chairman of the National Fitness Council from 1961 to 1971; and inaugural chair of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in 1963. and was conferred the honour of Knight Bachelor during the Queen's Birthday ceremonies in 1970. ==Personal life==

After a three-and-a-half-year engagement, Risson married Gwendolyn Edith Millicent Spurgin on 12 May 1934 at St John’s Church of England Cathedral, Brisbane. The couple honeymooned in Melbourne. During the 1920s Gwendolyn had attended The University of Queensland, where she played hockey representing both the University and Australia. She later coached the University of Queensland Women's Hockey Club. Gwendolyn died on 9 September 1988. ==See also==