Remembering Murray Robson
Lighting Designer, Educator & Co-Founder of Haron Robson
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Murray Robson on Saturday 25 September 2026 following a short illness. Our thoughts are with his wife Kathy, his children Sean, Chelsey, Mark and Samantha, and his extended family.
Murray dedicated much of his professional life to lighting design and to developing the people who practise it. He brought passion, precision and a distinctive personality to his work, with an unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcome on every project.
In 1990 Murray and Glen Haron co-founded Haron Robson, taking over a business established in 1985. Their ambition was to build a leading independent lighting consultancy at a time when relatively few existed in Australia. Murray’s experience, design judgement and enthusiasm for light were central to that endeavour.
Born in Bromley, Kent, Murray trained as an electrical fitter with London Electricity, where his father, Bill Robson, was chief engineer. He subsequently worked as a draftsman at W.S. Atkins before migrating to Australia in 1970. During the 1980s, he worked with pioneering independent lighting consultant W. Allen Smith, further developing the expertise that would shape his career.
Murray approached lighting as both a technical discipline and a creative practice. He cared deeply about detail, the relationship between light and architecture, and the experience of people within a space. A perfectionist and a persuasive presenter, he brought conviction and energy to project discussions, challenging himself and those around him to pursue better design.
His passion extended well beyond individual projects. As a visiting lecturer in Lighting Design at the University of Sydney’s School of Architecture, Murray shared his knowledge with emerging designers. He also spoke and lectured extensively on light, lighting and lighting design, bringing the same enthusiasm to education that he brought to practice.
Training new lighting designers was an enduring part of his contribution. He set high standards, encouraged careful observation and helped younger practitioners develop their own design judgement. Even after retiring in 2014, he continued mentoring new team members, remaining involved in lighting until early 2023.
Murray’s legacy lives on in the projects he helped realise, the practice he helped build and the designers he taught and encouraged. He will be remembered with affection and respect for his knowledge, his character and his passionate belief in the value of good lighting.
Funeral arrangements
A service to celebrate Murray’s life will be held on Tuesday 13 October at 1:30PM at South Chapel
Rookwood Cemetary (Rookwood Crematorium, Memorial Ave, Rookwood NSW 2141).
Family, friends and colleagues are warmly invited to attend.
Share a memory of Murray
We invite those who knew Murray to share their memories, stories, photographs and tributes through the form below:
Whether you worked alongside him, learnt from him or knew him as a friend, your contribution will help us prepare memorial books for his
family, celebrating his life and the lasting impression he made on others.
Please submit your contributions by 09 October 2026.
Note that these submissions will not be published on-line for open viewing.
