Dr Richard Searby, QC BA (Hon) Oxon MA Oxon

Dr Searby is a leading member of Australia’s legal fraternity and he has held a vast array of directorships of Australian and international corporations.

Chancellor of Deakin University from 1997 to 2005.

Director of Equity Trustees from 1975 until 2000 and Chairman from 1980 until 2000

Director of Rio Tinto Ltd from 1977 until 1997 and a director of Rio Tinto PLC from 1995 until 1997.

Director of News Corporation Ltd from 1979 until 1992 and Chairman from 1981 until 1991; a director of News Ltd from 1977 until 1992 and Chairman from 1981 until 1992; a director of News International PLC (UK) from 1981 until 1992 and Chairman from 1983 until 1990

Director of the South China Morning Post Ltd (HK) from 1986 until 1992 and Chairman from 1987 until 1992.

Director of News Datacom Ltd (UK) from 1987 until 1992 and Chairman from 1987 until 1992.

Director of Shell Australia Ltd from 1977 until 1998; a director of the Shell Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd from 1993 until 1998.

National President of the Australian Institute of International Affairs from 1993 until 1997.

Director of BRL Hardy Ltd from 1992 until 2003.

Director of Amrad Corporation Ltd from 1993 until 2003.

Director of Quadrant Inc from 1987 until 2003.

Director of Tandem Australia Pty Ltd from 1992 until 1998.

Director and Deputy Chairman of Times Newspapers Holdings Ltd (UK) since 1981.

Director of Reuters Founders Share Co Ltd (UK) from 1987 until 1993.

Director of Woodside Petroleum Ltd from 1998 until 2004.

Background

He was educated first at home by his grandfather (a former headmaster of Melbourne High School), and then at Geelong Grammar School. He was awarded a BA Lit Hum (Hons) and an MA from Oxford University in 1954 and was then admitted to the Inner Temple. On his return to Australia, from 1956 until 1959, he was Associate to Sir Owen Dixon, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. He commenced practice at the Victorian Bar in 1959 and was appointed as a Queen’s Counsel in 1971. Name Melbourne High School Address Forrest Hill Suburb South Yarra, Victoria 3141 Established 1905 Community Mixed: Urban & Rural Type State (Selective Entry) Religion Secular Students Approx. ... Geelong Grammar School arms and motto: Christus nobis factus sapientia. ...

His practice was in equity, commercial and company law, constitutional law, taxation, intellectual property, banking, media law, insurance law, maritime law and trade practices law. He advised the Australian Government on various occasions and he appeared in constitutional cases for both the Australian and the Victorian governments as well as clients in the private sector.

In 1981 he and former Commissioner JE Taylor prepared a report for the Australian Government into the workings of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act.

From 1961 until 1972 he was Independent Lecturer in Law relating to Executors and Trustees and a member of the Faculty of Law at the University of Melbourne.

Dr Searby was the Chairman of the Geelong Grammar School Council from 1983 until 1989.

In addition to his contribution to education, Mr Searby has also contributed to the arts. He was a member of the Council of the National Library of Australia from 1992 until 1995 and a member of the Council of the Museum of Victoria from 1990 until 1998. Within these roles, Mr Searby gave freely of his time and expertise. In the case of the Museum of Victoria, he served during a period of great change within the institution, involving a major restructure, the formation of a multi-campus facility, and the planning, construction, development and implementation of the Museum headquarters in the Carlton Gardens.