It is with deep regret that Cumberland Industries Ltd announces the loss of Charles Leslie (Chikka) Robinson OAM, the organisations Founder and long serving President, on Tuesday, 28 February 2006. Charles passed away peacefully at Baulkham Hills Private Hospital at the age of 87.

In 1958, Charles was inducted as a Member of the Rotary Club of Parramatta which he went on to preside over in 1964. Charles served as a tireless community worker through Rotary, and was acknowledged with the highest distinction for a Rotarian, receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. On 26th January 2001, Charles was awarded an OAM, which was presented by Her Excellency, The Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir, AM.

With Charles' passing, people with a disability have lost one of their greatest advocates and supporters. Indeed, Charles dedicated his entire life to the disabled, first becoming involved in the disability sector more than half a century ago, as a concerned parent seeking a better life for his daughter.

And so, Charles' mission to affect the public consciousness and to provide meaningful employment for people with disabilities in the Western and North Western suburbs of Sydney led to the creation of Cumberland Industries in 1961. Cumberland Industries initially commenced operations as a sheltered workshop with only 6 trainers. The first and only job consisted of gluing a cork seal inside chemical jar tops. The workshop was established in an old army hut situated in Macquarie Street, Parramatta on land now occupied as car parking for the local RSL Club.

From these rather humble beginnings, the company has since grown exponentially and diversified its operations to offer a variety of general packaging and assembly services, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, as well as consulting, research, education and training services. More importantly, the company now employs in excess of 500 people with a disability across six locations scattered throughout Sydney.

Clearly, Charles contribution to Cumberland Industries has been instrumental in the success of the business. Indeed, none of it would have been possible without Charles first 'planting the Cumberland seed' and without his unending efforts to create and lead an organisation that could realise his fine goals. To this end, former Board Member and President, Bob Pankhurst remarked: "It's (Cumberland's) successful climb to where it is today is due to the foresight, passion and determination that Charles had for his vision".

Also commenting on this great loss, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Stephen Treloar added: "The passing of Charles is truly a sad day for Cumberland. But we will continue our efforts to ensure that the ethos that Charles left with us remains alive and well and always at the core of Cumberland Industries activities going forward".

Charles leaves with us the important legacy of justice and equal opportunity for people with disabilities rather than charity, and Cumberland Industries itself.

Charles is survived and will be dearly missed by his three daughters Janet, Judy and Marsha and their families as well as his 5 grandsons.

Thank you and Farewell Charles. We will never forget you.