Rob Taber was born in Inverell, then left to live in Goondiwindi as his father was a share farmer in the North Star, Yetman area. Rob's father was a Returned Serviceman from WW2 and was given a Soldier Settlement block at Rockvale, east of Armidale. They moved here in 1963.
Rob attended Rockvale School and Armidale High School. He left school to run the farming operation at Yetman. He ran his first harvest at 17.
At the age of 20 Rob attended the Armidale Technical College and gained a qualification in Automative Engineering specialising in Automotive Electrics. He established Armidale Auto Electrics in 1974. In 1996, Rob started his venture into the solar industry and established New England Solar Power, which he has now handed over to his grandson.
Rob has been on the Board of Jobs Australia (previously Skillshare) and was Chairman and Vice-Chairman over 37 years.
He is one of five people to have established the New England Antique Machinery Club.
Rob is one of the original members of Solar Energy Industries association and has been the Treasurer for approximately 15 years.
He established voluntary projects after Cyclone Pam and installed solar on schools and community buildings on remote islands of Vanuatu.
Rob lives and operates a farm in Dangarsleigh with his wife Sally where they grow crops and have cattle. They have three daughters, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.