Michael Robertson’s best life
Michael Robertson is CEO of Adelaide Cemeteries, overseeing several of Adelaide’s biggest and busiest cemeteries. Here, Michael shares his insights on family life, health, and how his work in the business of death and dying has changed his outlook on life.
What does your idea of the perfect day look like?
The perfect day starts with enjoying a cup of coffee in the backyard listening to the kookaburras in the trees and spotting a kangaroo in the neighbouring reserve. I’m lucky to live at Clarendon and be surrounded by nature. I’ll whip up bacon and eggs for the family, then it’s a walk with Genie, our 10-year-old rescue pup.
If it’s a weekend, it usually involves a family outing or two. My 16-year-old son Callum plays table tennis and I enjoy supporting him at tournaments. We talk game strategy in the car but mostly it’s about spending quality time together. We also clock up some kilometres for tournaments – last weekend it was Jamestown!
If I’m not hitting the road with Callum, I love exploring the McLaren Vale wine region with my wife Jenni.
What is a wonderful moment of kindness you have experienced?
I recently visited the Animal Welfare League of South Australia centre at Wingfield. The incredible work the staff and volunteers do every day to give animals a second chance at life is inspirational.
My family has a personal connection to their work as two years ago, we welcomed Genie, into our home. She is a cherished part of the family, and it brings so much joy knowing we are giving her the loving, comfortable life she truly deserves.
What is your favourite photograph?
A family photo of my wife Jenni, son Callum, daughter Ella and I, taken moments after we climbed to the top of Brisbane’s Story Bridge. It was just before Ella left home to join the RAAF and it was special for all of us spending meaningful time together. At just 17, Ella made the courageous decision to step into military life, leaving the comfort of home to pursue her goal of serving her country. We are incredibly proud of her dedication and resilience as she endured the gruelling initial training, and even prouder to see the confident, independent young woman she has grown into.
If you could own any piece of art, what would it be?
Chihuly’s glass sculpture The Sun that was part of the exhibition at the Adelaide Botanic Garden last year. It’s fascinating how Chihuly was able to transform such a fragile material into a bold, radiant work of art.
Here’s $500. What are you buying?
A smartwatch to keep track of my fitness.
A cafe in SA you’d recommend?
Can’t go past 1947 Coffee Co, nestled in the peaceful grounds of Evergreen Community Precinct at Enfield Memorial Park.
The menu takes inspiration from the diverse cultural communities Adelaide Cemeteries serves in South Australia with a focus on fresh, local produce. My must-try is the charred corn fattoush salad.
We see families come and enjoy Saturday brunch while the kids play in the nature play space, as well as locals popping in to pick up coffee and a takeaway Brekkie Sando on the way to work.
Favourite way to unwind?
Gym workouts are a form of relaxation for me. I recovered from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma a couple of years ago and good health is not something I’ll ever take for granted. I’m lucky to be surrounded by a stunning environment at work. I enjoy walking through the grounds of the Evergreen Community Precinct with its hundreds of native plantings.
With increasing housing development in the neighbourhood, we’re seeing more locals use our rolling green grounds and native gardens for exercise and relaxation, so I’m always pleased to see dog walkers and people doing tai chi.
What was the last film or TV show you watched?
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. In the lead‑up to Anzac Day, I felt drawn to stories that honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served, particularly the lesser‑known chapters of wartime history that are so often forgotten.
Knowing the film was based on real events made it especially powerful, offering a glimpse into the bravery, risk, and moral complexity of unconventional warfare. It was a poignant reminder of how service took many forms, often carried out in silence and at great personal cost.
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Last book you read?
Unfiltered: My Incredible Decade in Formula 1 by Guenther Steiner. It’s a frank and humorous account of his time leading the Haas F1 Team. I’m an F1 fan and it was fascinating in terms of how he dealt with intense technical challenges in a pragmatic way. A very entertaining read!
Last song you listened to?
My Hero by the Foo Fighters.
Has your work, in charge of cemeteries and surrounded by the business of death, changed the way you view life?
It’s emphasised for me that death is an important part of life. Whether that be mourning the death of a loved one or planning what we’d like to happen to us after we die. It’s fair to say most people don’t want to talk about this and I believe that’s primarily out of fear. Working with families, I have seen how comforting it is for them during their time of grief to know they are carrying out a loved one’s wishes.
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