Tom Critchley

Tom Critchley AO CBE
Born	Thomas Kingston Critchley (1916-01-27)27 January 1916 Melbourne, Victoria
Died	Sydney, New South Wales
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	University of Sydney
Occupation	Public servant, diplomat
Spouse(s)	Susan Cappell (m. 1962–2009)

Thomas Kingston "Tom" Critchley AO CBE (27 January 1916 – 14 July 2009) was an Australian public servant, diplomat, author and journalist.

Critchley was born in Melbourne but grew up at Longueville in Sydney and attended North Sydney Boys High School. He joined the Rural Bank after completing high school and attended the University of Sydney by night to study economics.

After World War II, Critchley joined the Department of External Affairs as the head of the economic relations section. His first diplomatic role with the department was assisting Australia's representation of Indonesia against the Dutch during the Indonesian National Revolution.

Critchley served as Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia (1955–1965); Ambassador to Thailand (1969–1973); High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea (1974–1978); and Ambassador to Indonesia (1978–1981).

Critchley, a keen surfer, golfer and tennis player, who also played piano, died on 14 July 2009, survived by his wife Susan and their four daughters.

References

Diplomatic posts
New title Position established	Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia 1955–1965	Succeeded by Allan Eastman
Preceded by David McNicol	Australian Ambassador to Thailand 1969–1973	Succeeded by D.C. Goss
Preceded by Les Johnson	Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea 1974–1978	Succeeded by Gerry Nutter
Preceded by Richard Woolcott	Australian Ambassador to Indonesia 1978–1981	Succeeded by Rawdon Dalrymple