Dick Green AM & Joan Green OAM
RM (Dick) Green AM (decd)
Born in Launceston in 1910, RM (Dick) Green AM attended Launceston Church Grammar School with his brother AJ (Jack) Green. He then studied law and joined Ritchie & Parker, Alfred Green and Co.
In 1960 Mrs Biddy Craig approached him for advice on the possible purchase and restoration of the house now known as “Franklin House”. Dick advised her that a National Trust should, and could be formed as the appropriate body to preserve the house - it would be a ‘good start’ for the Trust. In record time the Trust was established and incorporated a few months later. The property was acquired, plans for its restoration commenced, meetings held, funding and loans sought from members of the Trust and the State Government, and co-operation sought from the Heritage Commission
Dick was “directly involved in all matters from 1963 to 1965 leading up to the Incorporation of the Australian Council of National Trusts in 1965. He served as the longest continuous member of that Board from 1965 – 1983”[1].
He practised as a solicitor at Ritchie & Parker, Alfred Green and Co until his death in 1986. His brother Jack Green was also a partner of the firm until his death in2002. Dick’s son John Green is currently senior partner at the firm.
Dick served as an Alderman on the Launceston City Council for 12 years, Deputy Mayor in 1968 and 1972, and Mayor from 1969-1971 with Joan as Mayoress and Deputy Mayoress of Launceston during those years between 1968 – 1972.
With an active interest in many other community and arts organizations, he contributed as member of Boards for the State Library of Tasmania, Tasmanian Theatre Company, Tasmanian Ballet Co, Ritchie’s Mill Arts Centre, Launceston Fire Brigade Board, Fred French Masonic Nursing Home, and the Society for Crippled Children.
Dates: b 1910, d 1986
Citation for AM 1978: Mr Richard Martin GREEN, Launceston: For services to local government and the community
Awards:
Member of the Order of Australia - 26 January 1978
[1] Page 5, Article: Mr RM Green AM, Honorary Life Member, National Trust of Australia Tasmania, National Trust of Australia Tasmania Newsletter No. 102, August 1986
Joan M Green OAM (decd)
Joan Margaret Green OAM was a long-time chair and committee member of various National Trust of Australia (Tasmania) Committees, Tasmanian state representative golfer and active member of the Launceston community.
Joan was born and educated in Launceston at the Methodist Ladies College (now Scotch Oakburn) where she excelled in her commercial studies and various team sports.
Joan had a wonderful golfing career with highlights including winning 11 championship titles in 1949 and captaining the Tasmanian Women’s Golf Team in the Australian Women’s Golf Championships held in Brisbane in 1950. She started playing golf at 11 with her parents Walter and Dorothy Manson.
Joan and Dick were married in 1951. Joan lived at their home in Launceston where she and Dick raised six children.
Joan was, until her death earlier in 2022, the sole survivor of the twelve signatories to the Memorandum and Articles of the National Trust of Australia (Tasmania), registered in 1960. While she was an active member and volunteer of the National Trust for over 50 years her greatest efforts were reserved for the preservation and restoration of Clarendon, Evandale and ensuring it became one of the special properties to be visited in Tasmania. Joan also strongly supported Dick’s roles in the Trust.
Over the last 20 years, Joan has continued to be active contributor to and in other organisation including The Australiana Fund (Tasmania) and more recently the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the committee the Order of Australia Association Northern Region. Her enthusiasm for this voluntary work is well known.
Citation for OAM 2014: Mrs Joan Margaret GREEN, Launceston: For service to the community, particularly through the heritage and conservation of historic properties.
Awards:
Medal of the Order of Australia - 26 January 2014
Launceston City Council Citizen of the Year Award 2014
Dates: b 1923, d 2022