Ronald Harvey (administrator) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ron Harvey
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Ronald George Harvey
9 June 1934 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Public servant, diplomat |
Ronald George "Ron" Harvey was born on 9 June 1934. He is a well-known Australian who worked for the government and helped manage sports. He was the third leader of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) from 1987 to 1989. The AIS is a special place where Australia's best athletes train.
Contents
Early Life and School
Ron Harvey was born in Subiaco, a suburb of Perth. He went to Perth Boys High School. He finished school when he was fourteen years old.
Ron Harvey's Sporting Journey
Ron Harvey moved to Canberra in 1960. There, he became very involved in basketball. He played, coached, and helped manage teams.
Basketball Leadership
In 1967, Ron helped the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) basketball teams become separate from New South Wales. This was a big step for sports in the ACT.
He also helped start the Canberra Cannons basketball team in 1979. He was the chairman and general manager for the team from 1981 to 1986.
From 1983 to 1987, Ron was the chairman of the National Basketball League (NBL). This is Australia's top basketball league.
Leading the Australian Institute of Sport
In 1987, Ron became the third director of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). This was a big job! During his time, the AIS joined with the Australian Sports Commission. This meant the government had one main group looking after sport.
After leaving the AIS in 1989, he became the chief executive officer for the Gold Coast Cougars NBL team until 1991.
Olympic and Football Roles
Ron Harvey also helped with the Australian Olympic Committee. He joined their board in 1993. He was even the vice president from 2001 to 2013.
In 1997, he was the President of Basketball Australia. From 2004 to 2007, he was a director for Football Federation Australia, which looks after soccer in Australia.
He helped organize the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Australia. This is when the Olympic flame travels through different countries.
Pierre de Coubertin Medal
In 2009, Ron Harvey received a very special award. It was the International Olympic Committee's Pierre de Coubertin medal. He was the first Australian to get this award! It's given to people who help promote the Olympic spirit.
Ron said he loved being involved in sports. He felt proud of Australian athletes. Also in 2009, he helped Australia with its bid to host the FIFA 2018–2022 World Cup.
Ron Harvey's Government Career
Ron Harvey started his career working for the Australian government. He began as a junior clerk in the Department of the Army in Perth.
Key Government Roles
He held many important jobs in the government, including:
- Senior Private Secretary to a government Minister (1976–1978).
- Assistant Commissioner in the Public Service Board (1978–81).
- Commonwealth Director for the Royal Visit by Queen Elizabeth in 1981. This meant he helped plan the Queen's visit to Australia.
- Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Hon. Malcolm Fraser, from 1982 to 1983. Ron said working for Prime Minister Fraser was the best part of his government career.
- Executive director for the National Tax Summit in 1985.
- Director of the Australian Institute of Sport / Australian Sports Commission from 1987 to 1989.
- Administrator of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands from 1997 to 1998. These are Australian territories.
- Australian consul general in Chicago from 2001 to 2004. This means he represented Australia in Chicago, USA.
Awards and Recognition
Ron Harvey has received many awards for his work in sports and government:
- 1981 – Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for his work during the 1981 Royal Visit.
- 1999 – Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his help in promoting basketball.
- 2000 – Australian Sports Medal.
- 2001 – Centenary Medal.
- 2003 – National Service Medal.
- 2009 – Pierre de Coubertin medal.
- 2013 – Life Membership with the Australian Olympic Committee.
- 2016 – Inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame.
- 2024 – ACT Sport Hall of Fame Associate Member.
- Australian Defence Medal.
- Life Member of Basketball Australia.
