Richard Woolcott
Encyclopedia
Richard Arthur Woolcott, AC
(born 11 June 1927) is a retired Australia
n diplomat, author and commentator.
Woolcott was educated at Geelong Grammar School
and the University of Melbourne
, and became a member of the Australian Diplomatic Service. He held positions as Australia's ambassador
to Indonesia
and The Philippines, as well as High Commissioner
to Malaysia, Ghana
and Singapore
. He was the Australian Ambassador to the United Nations
from 1982 to 1988, and served as the President of the United Nations Security Council
for Australia's term in November 1985. Woolcott also served as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT), the most senior diplomatic posting in Australia, from 1988 to 1992. As DFAT Secretary, he was involved in the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
forum. On 4 June 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
announced that Woolcott had been appointed as an envoy to conduct discussions to form a new Asian regional forum.
Since 1997, Richard Woolcott has been the Founding Director of the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre.
In 2003 Woolcott wrote a personal memoir entitled The Hot Seat: Reflections on Diplomacy from Stalin’s Death to the Bali Bombings, and he also wrote a book called Undiplomatic Activities in 2007.
For his services to diplomacy and international relations, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia
in 1985, and appointed a Companion of the Order in 1993. Woolcott's son, Peter
, is also a diplomat and has served as the ambassador to Italy.
Richard Woolcott is a supporter of the Australian Republican Movement
, and gave the Inaugural National Republican Lecture in 2003.
In July 2008, Richard Woolcott was selected as one of the inaugural fellows of the Australian Institute of International Affairs
to highlight his very high level of distinction in and distinguished contribution to Australia's international affairs.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 11 June 1927) is a retired Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n diplomat, author and commentator.
Woolcott was educated at Geelong Grammar School
Geelong Grammar School
Geelong Grammar School is an independent, Anglican, co-educational, boarding and day school. The school's main campus is located at Corio, on the northern outskirts of Geelong, Victoria, Australia, overlooking Corio Bay and Limeburners Bay....
and the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, and became a member of the Australian Diplomatic Service. He held positions as Australia's ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and The Philippines, as well as High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to Malaysia, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. He was the Australian Ambassador to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
from 1982 to 1988, and served as the President of the United Nations Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
for Australia's term in November 1985. Woolcott also served as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a department of the government of Australia charged with advancing the interests of Australia and its citizens internationally...
(DFAT), the most senior diplomatic posting in Australia, from 1988 to 1992. As DFAT Secretary, he was involved in the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region...
forum. On 4 June 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
announced that Woolcott had been appointed as an envoy to conduct discussions to form a new Asian regional forum.
Since 1997, Richard Woolcott has been the Founding Director of the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre.
In 2003 Woolcott wrote a personal memoir entitled The Hot Seat: Reflections on Diplomacy from Stalin’s Death to the Bali Bombings, and he also wrote a book called Undiplomatic Activities in 2007.
For his services to diplomacy and international relations, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
in 1985, and appointed a Companion of the Order in 1993. Woolcott's son, Peter
Peter Woolcott
Peter Woolcott is an Australian diplomat. He is the son of Richard Woolcott, one of Australia's most eminent diplomats, now retired. After practicing as a barrister in Sydney for a number of years, Peter Woolcott joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1981...
, is also a diplomat and has served as the ambassador to Italy.
Richard Woolcott is a supporter of the Australian Republican Movement
Australian Republican Movement
The Australian Republican Movement is a non-partisan lobby group advocating constitutional change in Australia to a republican form of government, from a constitutional monarchy.-Foundation:...
, and gave the Inaugural National Republican Lecture in 2003.
In July 2008, Richard Woolcott was selected as one of the inaugural fellows of the Australian Institute of International Affairs
Australian Institute of International Affairs
The Australian Institute of International Affairs is a non-profit think tank based in Australia. Established in 1924 and formed as a national body in 1933, the organisation endeavours to promote interest in and understanding of international affairs...
to highlight his very high level of distinction in and distinguished contribution to Australia's international affairs.