Robert Storr (banker)


Robert "Bob" Walter Storr was an Australian-born banker active in Southeast Asia and his country of birth. After his death he became notable as a philanthropist with bequests in medical science and music education.

Birth and education

Storr was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, and aged eight his family moved to a rural property between Forbes and Grenfell. His early education was in the multi-class schoolroom at Ooma Creek Public School before attending Newington College as a boarder. He left school at 15 to return to the land.

Banking career

Realising that he was not suited to farm life, Storr joined the Commonwealth Bank in 1939. After war service he returned to the bank and worked in both Australia and Papua New Guinea. From 1958 until 1963, Storr lived in Kuala Lumpur and was the Assistant to the Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia. After his return to Australia he became the first Principal of the Commonwealth Bank Staff Training College. In 1971, Storr moved to Jakarta and became Principal of the Training College for Indonesian Bankers before re-establishing the Jakarta Stock Exchange in 1977. In 1982 he moved to Singapore to start an office for the Commonwealth Bank and after his retirement he remained there and consulted to Westpac as a financial advisor.

Honours

For his work with the central bank of Malaysia he was made an Officer of the Order of the Defender of the Realm by the then King of Malaysia, Putra of Perlis.

War service

From May 1941 until November 1943, Storr served as a sergeant with the Australian Army in World War II.

Golf

During his time in Malaysia, Storr became the Captain of the Royal Selangor Golf Club. He was the first Captain of the in Indonesia.

Bequests