Rose and Discoverer  

Listing last updated on Thu Nov 2024

Eaglemont, Victoria 3084
Australia

1995. Australian Rose Annual
p43. Vale Bob Hamilton. by Ross Heathcote.
Robert Thompson Hamilton died on 10th August in his 94th year. Bob, a dentist by profession, joined the National Rose Society of Victoria, as we were then named, in the early 1930s. He was elected to the Council in 1937 and a Vice-president in 1959 which position he held until he retired from office in 1979. On the death of the first Editor of the Australian & New Zealand Rose Annual Bob Hamilton took over the Editorship from 1947 until 1953 inclusive. Since relinquishing the editorship he continued to be a regular contributor to the annual. In 1955, at the request of the Society, he wrote a small book on Rose Culture. In recognition of his service to The Rose, Bob Hamilton was awarded the T.A Stewart Memorial Award in 1953, and an honorary Life Membership of our Society in 1955. Bob Hamilton was a most successful exhibitor at the Society's show for a period of 45 years and amasses no fewer than 21 Amateur Championships (for 12 roses distinct), 25 Decorative Championships (for 6 bunches distinct) and 10 "Best Rose of the Show" awards. He also won a number of awards for the "Best Bunch of the Show" and “Best Australian Raised Bunch". And of course numerous lesser awards at the shows, including in his later years prizes in the then new floribunda classes.
Bob also tried his hand at hybridizing and his first release was a dark red climber ‘Black Magic’ now reappearing in the catalogues. His most successful rose was ‘Rod Stillman’ which was awarded the Gold Medal of the Society. ‘Rod Stillman’ featured in the "Best Australian-Raised Bunch" at the shows on many occasions, Bob also obtained several sports – ‘Legacy’ a striped sport of ‘Mrs. Bryce Allen’ and Golden Surprise’, a bright yellow sport of ‘Woburn Abbey’ .

2002. Australian Rose Annual
p146 Robert Thomas Hamilton (1901-1994) by Alma Renolds, Moama, New South Wales. From a daughter’s perspective.