Overview

The trajectory of one's life depends on circumstance. Richard Ryan's story pivots around two beloved Northern Territory-based uncles, a devastating cyclone, and a couple of young blokes who came to the Territory to make a quid on the roads. Company director, philanthropist and accountant Richard Ryan witnessed, and participated in, many momentous changes in the Northern Territory from the early 1970s. He was there to help with the cleanup and rebuild of Darwin devastated after Cyclone Tracy struck on Christmas Day 1974, and he observed first-hand the issues arising after the formation of the Territory's self-government in 1978. At the heart of Northern Territory Reflections is the story of the founding, ascendancy and fall of the Northern Territory's first publicly listed industrial company, Henry and Walker Ltd, where Richard Ryan became chief executive and successfully encouraged joint ventures with the Indigenous community. He also played a role in the evolution of the Northern Territory's casinos, and the creation of Charles Darwin University, where he was appointed Inaugural Chancellor, a role he describes as 'my special pleasure, my career highlight'. The spectacular Territory is a frontier region with twenty per cent of Australia's landmass and less than one per cent of the population. In Northern Territory Reflections author Richard Ryan remembers its critical moments since the 1970s, and analyses the multi-faceted aspects of financing this vast region and the many challenges that lie ahead.

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9781923388550

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Richard Ryan began to practice as a chartered accountant in Darwin in 1971. With colleagues he built a significant accounting network with eight offices around Australia, three in the Northern Territory. Following the Darwin cyclone he ultimately became Chief Executive of the fledgling Henry and Walker, the first industrial company in the Northern Territory to be listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and the first company in Australia to have an Indigenous Director. He chaired on two occasions the Menzies School of Health Research, which became Australia's leading institution in Indigenous Health Research. Other entities include Diamond Leisure Pty Ltd that operated casinos in Darwin and Alice Springs, and the Northern Territory Tourism Commission. A leader in the formation of NT education institutions, which later became Charles Darwin University, he was recognised as Emeritus Chancellor and awarded an Hon. Doctorate of Letters. He is also a Companion of the Menzies School of Health Research and a Fellow of the National Heart Foundation. Richard has also chaired a number of boards including NT Tourist Commission, Adelaide Festival Centre and Adelaide Festival Corporation. He served on the board of Port Adelaide Football Club, and has chaired and held directorships in a number of public companies both listed and unlisted, together with several statutory authorities for the federal government, including the Australian Government Solicitors Advisory Board, Federal Attorney-General's Advisory Board, and Indigenous Business Australia, and Director of the Northern Territory Treasury Advisory Board. As Chair of the National Heart Foundation, he was awarded the Sir John Lowenthal Award for Outstanding Contribution to the National Heart Foundation. Other awards include Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his work with Indigenous people in the Northern Territory, the Australia Institute of Company Directors' Inaugural Distinguished Director of the Northern Territory, the National Centenary Medal, and Australia Day Council Achievers Award.

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