Sir Richard Clarence Kirby AC

Sir Richard Clarence Kirby AC.

Sir Richard Kirby was an Australian industrial arbitrator, academic, and diplomat.

In 1947, following a Dutch military incursion into territory held by the newly-proclaimed Indonesian national government, the United Nations formed a Good Offices Committee to mediate the dispute. Kirby led Australia’s representation on the Committee.

The Committee was tasked with resolving disagreements and overseeing the ceasefire between the two parties.  

Sir Richard Kirby was known for his steadfast support for the nascent Indonesian nation, his respect for the Indonesian leadership, and his insistence that the UN Committee treat the newly-formed national Government with fairness.

In 1985 he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.

In 1995, Sir Richard Kirby was presented with the Bintang Jasa Utama (Bravery Star Decoration) in recognition of his contributions to Indonesian nationhood.