When Amy Perrett became the first female to referee a Super Rugby game in August 2020, no one was prouder than fellow Eastwood tragic and former referee Robin Timmins. 

Over 48 years, Timmins broke a number of barriers within the sport, becoming Australia’s first ever female rugby referee and the first women in NSW Rugby’s 150-plus-year history to receive an Honorary Life Membership.

In 2013, Timmins received both the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and an IRB Development Award for her contributions to the rugby community.

But it wasn’t easy for Timmins to break into the sport back in the 1960s. 

After marrying a rugby referee, Timmins joined the Eastwood District Rugby Referees Association shortly after its formation in 1963 and acted as its Honorary Secretary until 1982.

In 1968, she joined the Sydney Rugby Union as a secretary and although women were unable to sit the referees exam at the time, Timmins convinced the decision-makers to give her a chance and soon became Australia’s very first female referee.

After hanging up her whistle, Timmins then moved into rugby administration. An article in Rugby News in 1998 suggested Timmins had held every role within NSW Rugby besides that of the head coach. 

Most recently she held the position of Referees Assistant, co-ordinating the appointments of officials for every Premiership, Colts, Suburban, Women’s and First XV Schools games across Sydney.

While Timmins was only a small lady, referees of all ages from right around the state were petrified to call and cancel if they couldn’t make a match following their appointment. 

It was that way for decades, right through to 2016 when Timmins eventually retired after 48 years of service to the game. 

Until her passing in August 2023, Timmins still drove around with Matt Dunning’s old Eastwood jersey as her car seat cover and spent most Saturdays in winter with her friends in ‘Tim Tam Corner’ at TG Millner, cheering on the Woodies from fourth grade onwards. 

You were one of the best Robin and you’re missed right around Sydney rugby circles.