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Irvin Peter Rockman CBE (6 April 1938 – 30 August 2010) was an Australian politician, businessman, and hotelier who served as Lord Mayor of Melbourne from 1977 to 1979.

In the early 1960s he established a chain of luxury motels known as the Parkroyal in Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. Designed by Theodore Bertram, they were distinguished by a large parabolic arch at the entrance.

Rockman was alleged to have been involved in a 1988 drug smuggling scandal, but no charges were ever filed and Rockman maintained his innocence.

Personal life

Rockman was born on 6 April 1938 to Norman and Susie Rockman. His father's family had fled Poland due to anti-Jewish persecution, as had his mother's family, who had fled from Ukraine. They settled in Melbourne, where Norman Rockman established a chain of clothing stores, which operated under the family name. Rockman attended high school at Wesley College. He then attended the University of Melbourne, where he undertook a commerce degree. Rockman was also a well-known underwater diver.

Irvin Rockman was married three times and had six children.

References

1. Reeves, Simon, "A Tale of Two City Motels," The Australian Motel Owners' Journal, Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 9-11
2. Russell, Mark (15 April 2015). "Win for third wife, but Yoda the dog gets $50k in lord mayor's will". The Age.
3. CARMAN, GERRY (3 September 2010). "Go-getting civic and business leader". The Age ( Fairfax Media). Retrieved 27 August 2013.
4. "Fathom Guest Photographer - Irvin Rockman". Fathom Vol.1 No. 8. John Harding and Roy Bisson. c. 1972. pp. 8–11. Archived from the original on 27 August 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2013.

Fathom guest photographer Irvin Rockman pages 8-11

• 1938 births
• 2010 deaths
• Jewish Australian politicians
• Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
• Mayors and Lord Mayors of Melbourne
• Businesspeople from Melbourne
• University of Melbourne alumni
• Deaths from cancer in Victoria (state)
• Australian underwater divers