Vale Richard Woolcott AC

It is with great sadness today that we say goodbye to a dear friend, colleague and special member of the Asia Society Australia community, Richard Woolcott AC.
Our thoughts and condolences are with Richard’s family and many loved ones.
Richard’s life was rich and long. His contribution to Australian government and public life, in particular his life-long work to build Australia’s relations with Asia, was remarkable.
As one of Australia’s most experienced and distinguished diplomats, his intelligence and charm made him a close adviser to successive prime ministers and an influential advocate for Australia’s national interests with leaders across our region. Richard was distinctively Australian, and wanted Australia to be distinctive and independent in its own engagement of Asia.
Richard’s stellar career was capped by his time as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. But in “retirement”, he was as deeply engaged in Asia-Australia relations as ever.
Asia Society Australia’s establishment in 1997 was led by Richard, as founding director, alongside Hugh Morgan AC (then CEO of WMC Limited).
As a very small “start-up”, Asia Society Australia’s subsequent growth and support from government and business rested on Richard’s energy, enthusiasm, and remarkable network of contacts from a life in diplomacy.
In 2022, Asia Society Australia celebrated its 25th anniversary. We recalled then, and we recall now, that it was Richard’s passion and dedication that helped bring us this far.
As we remember Richard, we look forward to continuing the nationally-important work he started – to help prepare Australia for deeper and sustainable engagement with a more complex Asia.
Stuart Fuller Thomas Soem
Chairman Acting CEO
Asia Society Australia Asia Society Australia