Community and creating impact: Rob Estherby’s journey with ACS
Rob Estherby has long believed that the strength of Australia’s tech industry lies in its people, those willing to share their time, knowledge, and passion to lift others up. As an active volunteer with the ACS community, Rob embodies that spirit of giving back, helping to create spaces where professionals can connect, grow, and shape the future of technology together. We shine a spotlight on Rob's contribution in celebration of National Volunteers Day.
What made you want to volunteer with ACS?
When I was a student, more established ACS members were incredibly generous with their time, advice, and encouragement. Those moments shaped my early career, and I’ve never forgotten them. Volunteering with the ACS, particularly supporting early-career professionals, has been my way of paying that forward - helping others find their confidence, community, and direction in tech, just as others once did for me.
Volunteering is all about connection, how has being part of ACS helped you build community in tech?
When you attend events, you might meet a few great people. But as a volunteer, you get to create those connections for others. I’ve seen people meet future business partners, swap ideas that turned into projects, or find lifelong friends.
How do you think volunteers like you help drive innovation and progress in Australia’s tech industry?
Colleagues at work are great, but workplaces can become echo chambers. Volunteers who help create opportunities to share ideas help you break out of that bubble. You meet people from all sorts of industries, roles, and perspectives and that cross-pollination of ideas is great for innovation. Volunteers help connect the dots across Australia’s tech landscape.
What’s something unexpected you’ve learned or gained through volunteering with ACS?
I expected to grow my network and grow myself, but I didn’t expect the joy of watching others grow too. I’ve seen a group of early-career professionals go from a bunch of strangers to an increasingly confident and effective committee. It’s taught me to step back, trust the process, and let people thrive. The best part? Seeing them take ownership, find their voices, and start leading the way themselves. It’s been a masterclass in letting go and realising that leadership is about creating space for others to shine.
What’s the best part about knowing your time and skills are helping shape Australia’s tech future?
It’s easy to think the future is built by big projects and breakthroughs. But I’ve realised it’s shaped just as much by small moments — helping someone gain the skills to succeed in their first job, or inspiring ethical thinking early in their career. If those moments ripple outward, that’s a future worth building.