Richard Philip Broinowski (born 8 May 1940) is a former
Australian public servant and
diplomat. He worked in Mexico, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, Iran and Burma, including as
Ambassador to Mexico,
Ambassador to Vietnam, and
Ambassador to South Korea.
Life and career
Born in Melbourne, Victoria in May 1940, Broinowski was the grandson of
Robert Broinowski, a public servant and author about whom the younger wrote a biography: ''A Witness to History'' (published 2001)., and a great grandson of
Gracius Broinowski, an artist and ornithologist.
Obtaining his Bachelor of Laws from the
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide (informally Adelaide University) is a public research university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. The university's main campus is located on N ...
in 1961, Broinowski was admitted to the South Australian Supreme Court Bar in Adelaide in 1963. Later in 1963, Broinowski joined the
Department of External Affairs In many countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. The entit ...
as a junior diplomat and began studying Japanese at the
Australian National University
The Australian National University (ANU) is a public research university located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton encompasses seven teaching and research colleges, in addition to several national academies an ...
. His early postings were to Tokyo, Rangoon, Tehran and Manila.
In 1975, when sent to Manila, he and his wife
Alison Broinowski, whom he had married in 1963, became the first husband and wife the Department had sent to serve in the same mission.
Broinowski was appointed to his first ambassadorial role in 1983, as
Australian Ambassador to Vietnam. His appointment in Hanoi was for two years, during a time when the Australian Government wished to restore normal bilateral relations with Vietnam in the post-
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (also known by other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vietnam a ...
environment. The appointment was his first term serving separately to his wife, Alison, who was the Australian Government's cultural attache in Tokyo. At the time, Broinowski told media that he had reservations about the
Department of Foreign Affairs' rule that a head of mission could not serve in the same legation as his or her spouse.
Between 1987 and 1989 Broinowski was
Australian Ambassador to South Korea, including during the time of the
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad () and commonly known as Seoul 1988 ( ko, 서울 1988, Seoul Cheon gubaek palsip-pal), was an international multi-sport event held from 17 September to 2 October ...
.
[
From 1990 he worked for three years at the ]Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is the national broadcaster of Australia. It is principally funded by direct grants from the Australian Government and is administered by a government-appointed board. The ABC is a publicly-own ...
, as managing director of Radio Australia
ABC Radio Australia, also known as Radio Australia, is the international broadcasting and online service operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Australia's public broadcaster. Most programming is in English, with some in Tok ...
, before returning to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1993. His final ambassadorial posting was announced in April 1994, as Australian Ambassador to Mexico, before his retirement in 1997.[
In retirement, Broinowski became an Adjunct Professor in Media and Communications, working first at the ]University of Canberra
The University of Canberra (UC) is a public research university with its main campus located in Bruce, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The campus is within walking distance of Westfield Belconnen, and from Canberra's Civic Centre. U ...
before moving to the University of Sydney
The University of Sydney (USYD), also known as Sydney University, or informally Sydney Uni, is a public research university located in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and is one of the country's ...
. He is President of Australian Institute of International Affairs NSW.
Books published
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References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Broinowski, Richard
1940 births
Ambassadors of Australia to Mexico
Ambassadors of Australia to South Korea
Ambassadors of Australia to Vietnam
University of Adelaide alumni
Living people
Harvard Kennedy School alumni