Northern Territory Reflections

Richard Ryan began his practice as a chartered accountant in Darwin in 1971. He, along with colleagues, established a substantial accounting network comprising eight offices across Australia, with three located in the Northern Territory.

Following the Darwin cyclone, he assumed the role of Chief Executive of the nascent Henry and Walker, which became the Northern Territory’s first industrial company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and the first company in Australia to appoint an Indigenous Director. He chaired the Menzies School of Health Research on two occasions, an institution that grew to become Australia’s foremost center for Indigenous Health Research. His other board memberships include Diamond Leisure Pty Ltd, which operated casinos in Darwin and Alice Springs, and the Northern Territory Tourism Commission.

As a key figure in the establishment of Northern Territory educational institutions, which later evolved into Charles Darwin University, he was honored as Emeritus Chancellor and awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters. He also holds the distinction of being a Companion of the Menzies School of Health Research and a Fellow of the National Heart Foundation.

Richard has chaired numerous boards, including the NT Tourist Commission, Adelaide Festival Centre, and Adelaide Festival Corporation. He served on the board of the Port Adelaide Football Club. Additionally, he has held chairmanships and directorships in a variety of public companies, both listed and unlisted, as well as several statutory authorities for the federal government. These include the Australian Government Solicitors Advisory Board, the Federal Attorney-General’s Advisory Board, Indigenous Business Australia, and directorship of the Northern Territory Treasury Advisory Board.

In recognition of his contributions as Chair of the National Heart Foundation, he received the Sir John Lowenthal Award for Outstanding Contribution. His other accolades include the 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 the Australia Day Council Achievers Award.