He has a degree in Music Education from the University of Western Australia and is a full writing member of the Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA). Robert has been an active member of the Federation of Australasian Mandolin Ensembles (FAME) since its inception in 1979.

Many of his works have been recorded by orchestras in Germany, Holland, Greece, Denmark, Japan, America and Australia. He is one of a growing number of composers who are specialising in plucked string sounds. Robert has received several commissions the latest (2006) being from the Australian Mandolin Music Association. This work is written for large orchestra, Oboe, Timpani and Percussion. It is based on the notion of the seasons as understood by Indigenous Australians. (Check catalogue for details).

Robert is an active member of the well known Perth group "StringyBach" and has played in many duo, trio and quartet combinations. He is the founding member of a new group the "Bakkerus Quartet" playing music especially written for mandolin quartet.

As a teacher, Robert has written a new Mandolin Tutor for adult beginners with a distinctive Australian bent, using material from traditional songs to original pieces. The second edition is now complete. He has begun working on a tutor for the younger beginner due for completion 2009

Latest Project - Robert has just returned (Jan 2008) with his orchestra the West Australian Mandolin Orchestra who performed at the Sydney International Mandolin Festival. The program was largely West Austrlaian compositions together with new music from Europe. As part of thier performance, they were joined by some of Roberts young students who played a piece especially written for the Festival by him.