Thomas (Tom) Kingston Critchley AO CBE

Thomas (Tom) Kingston Critchley AO CBE.

Tom Critchley was an Australian diplomat who laid the foundations for close diplomatic relations between Australia and Indonesia.  

He was appointed to the United Nations Good Offices Committee in 1947, later known as the UN Commission on Indonesia.  Indonesia chose Australia as its representative on the three nations Committee which was tasked with overseeing a peaceful transition from Dutch colonial rule.

Tom Critchley fiercely defended Indonesia’s position on its independence, and fought for fairness and equity in negotiations for the transfer of sovereignty to the Republic.

In 1992 he was honoured with the Bintang Jasa Utama (Bravery Star Decoration). He was also appointed an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia.