Robert Castles

The University High School community and the profession of teacher librarianship have suffered a sad loss this week with the death of Robert Castles following a long illness. Rob was the Head of Library at Uni High from 2001 to 2019 after previously working in the library at Footscray City, and had a huge impact on not only our library but also on the culture of the school more broadly. Rob’s librarian colleague and dear friend of thirty years, Kate Marquard, gave a eulogy for Rob in which she remembered him as a truly inspiring and beloved leader and spoke of his vision for the school library: a vision which he tirelessly dedicated much of his career to realising.

“Rob believed that the library should reflect the community it inhabits: that it should offer a space that allows people to learn, to read, to experience new things, to connect and at times, be a haven of calm from a busy world. His enthusiasm, energy, courage, good sense, warmth, kindness, good humour, knowledge, professionalism and his capacity to “read the room” – all of these made him a truly exceptional colleague.

“His endless patience with students and his ability to form important and lasting relationships with young people in his care set a tone of generosity and created a welcoming atmosphere in the library which ensured that there was a constant stream of students coming through the door and that students felt truly safe and at home in the space. Under his clear, warm and thoughtful guidance the Uni High library has become the heart of the school –a place of learning, teaching, reading, even a place of sanctuary and quiet reflection and just the best place to be.

“Rob was truly the best of men, the best of librarians, the best of friends: a most caring, compassionate and wonderful person who gave so much to all the school communities which have been lucky enough to have him be in their places. He will be so missed as a guiding presence for so many in our beloved school and beyond.”

Rob’s colleagues at University High and in the wider profession are enormously saddened by his loss but we are also grateful for the time that we were lucky enough to spend with such a generous, inspiring and endlessly good-humored colleague who gave so much to our school. He will be remembered here for a long time to come and we will always strive to live up to his standards as we work to honour his legacy.