January 31, 2026
Former Olympic swimmer, Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Kingaroy resident Robyn Nock has died aged 80.
Robyn, who was known during her swimming career by her maiden name of Thorn, won a silver medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay.
The other members of that team were Dawn Fraser, Lyn Bell and Janice Murphy.
She was also a semi-finalist in the 100m individual freestyle, coming second in her heat.
Robyn did much of her early training at the WJ Lang Memorial Olympic Pool in Kingaroy.
She made her debut on the world stage in the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth where she was part of the gold-medal winning 4 x 110 yard freestyle relay team which broke the then-world record.
She also earned a silver in the 110 yard individual freestyle event, being pipped by swimming superstar Dawn Fraser.
Robyn is survived by her four daughters, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and her younger sister – and fellow swimmer – Jenny.
Jenny won silver in the 440-yard freestyle at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston.
A private funeral will be held for Robyn in Brisbane this week.
