Road Warrior Robbie was one of a kind

Vale Robbie Bastion

Bryan Littlely

Journalist

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Robbie Bastion has been described in tributes as an icon for Far North Queensland tourism. Picture: Supplied
Queensland Tourism "Road Warrior" Robbie Bastion died on Monday, June 2, aged 69. Picture: Supplied

A heartwarming tribute to Port Douglas tourism pioneer Robbie Bastion from MP and friend Michael Healy has been flooded with comments echoing the local leader's words about Robert William Bastion who died on Monday, June 2, aged 69.

Speaking with Newsport on Wednesday, Mr Healy broke from a hectic schedule to double down on his show of respect for Mr Bastion.

"I tell you what, Robbie did a huge amount for tourism but particularly Port Douglas. The famil programs from all over the world, he was a real driving force,’’ he said.

“When we were all back in the day, 30 years ago, promoting and pushing Port Douglas and Quicksilver he was certainly one of the icons.’’

In the tribute posted to Facebook earlier this week, Mr Healy said it had been his privilege to know Mr Bastion for well over 30 years.

“He started off as my boss, quickly becoming a good mate and a wonderful influence. He extended to me many opportunities which have contributed so much to my development over the years.

“There were a few of us in this little group in Cairns who travelled the world for decades and had some amazing and highly entertaining times, all while selling and promoting Far North Queensland. It was an age when building personal relationships was more important than building digital connectivity.

“Robbie used to say that understanding the key to sales was to understand the people we were dealing with. His contribution to the growth and development of tourism and sales in our region was and remains enormous. He knew the entire distribution system so well.

“One of his most amazing contributions was the creation of Paradise Found, just after the September 11 attacks, when our region was hurting from the worldwide downturn in tourism. This event reflected his style, his ideas and ability to pull people together. It was truly an amazing, unprecedented and hugely successful international roadshow.’’

Mr Healy said Mr Bastion’s built his icon status starting with world travels back in the 1980s with Moss Hunt from Silky Oaks and Toddie Parker. When The Far North Queensland Promotion Bureau, or as it is known today, Tourism Tropical North Queensland was in its infancy.

“His old school methods of engagement still resonated in so many markets to this very day,’’ he said.

“He was a proud and passionate Australian, and far North Queenslander, in every sense of those words. Well read, articulate with a love of history and museums, old English and Irish pubs and American bars and clubs.

“He made lifelong friends around the world because of who he was, we used to giggle about that regardless of the fact that he was a St George fan.

“An impeccable sense of humour opened many doors and may have closed a few too. He'd been welcomed into many homes and fine establishments and escorted out of a few.

“His amazing literary skills were reflected annually in his assessment of the world covering political, social and sporting events, intertwining them with his own travels and personal engagements.

“The completion of his book, In Contingents: Tales of a Road Warrior, covered many of his amazing journeys and engagements reflecting a great discipline and further literary skills.

“On Monday night, two impressive young adults lost their loving father, five little Australians lost a loving grandfather, many around the world lost a colourful and creative mate and the Australian tourism industry has lost an impressive, hardworking trailblazer and one of the original Road Warriors.’’

In paying tribute, Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said Robbie always had the knack for selling the state and became famous (or infamous) in travel when he joined Quicksilver as general director of sales and hit the road.

“Anyone who knew Robbie knew his love of this region and of the travel industry and he never quit until he got the deal done,’’ he said.

More than 400 people have acknowledged Mr Healy’s tribute and dozens offered comments.

Journalist Peter Michael said it was an “Outstanding ode to one of the greats in the pantheon of Qld tourism and a wonderfully erudite rapscallion’’.

Rick Matkowski said he was “one of a kind… a rascal, mentor and so professional in all he did for our destination and industry’’.

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