Irvin Rockman

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.

Irvin Peter Rockman CBE
85th Lord Mayor of Melbourne
In office 1977–1979
Preceded by	Donald Osborne
Succeeded by	Ralph Angelo Bernardi
Personal details
Born	6 April 1938 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died	30 August 2010

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.^[1]

Rockman was alleged to have been involved in a 1988 drug smuggling scandal, but no charges were ever filed and Rockman maintained his innocence.^[2]

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.^[3][4]

Irvin Rockman was married three times and had six children.