The Australian Institute of International Affairs mourns the death of Charles Garrard “Garry” Woodard AO FAIIA, distinguished diplomat, scholar and former National President of the Institute.
Woodard served at the forefront of Australia’s engagement with Asia. He was ambassador to Burma from 1973 to 1975, ambassador to China from 1976 to 1980, and high commissioner to Malaysia from 1980 to 1983. Earlier, he was the inaugural head of the National Assessments Staff in the Joint Intelligence Organisation.
AIIA National President Gary Quinlan described him as “one of the outstanding senior diplomats of an earlier generation”.
“His forte was our immediate Indo-Pacific region, where he did much to shape Australia’s early policy, above all on China,” Quinlan said.
Woodard’s contribution to the AIIA was extensive. He served as National President from 1991 to 1993 and was made a Fellow of the Institute in 2011. His leadership came at a time of major change in the international system and growing debate over Australia’s place in Asia, human rights and the conduct of foreign policy.
He brought to the Institute the authority of a senior practitioner, but also a strongly independent and ethical outlook. During and after his presidency, he contributed to the AIIA’s work on human rights in the region and remained closely engaged with its activities. He oversaw a revitalisation of the institute during this time.
Following his retirement from the public service, Woodard became a prominent scholar of Australian diplomatic history and foreign policy at the University of Melbourne. He wrote extensively on Australia’s relations with Asia, the Vietnam War, the institutions of foreign policy, and the exercise of executive power in decisions to go to war.
“In later retirement he began a high-profile academic career as one of our leading writers and analysts of Australian diplomatic history and foreign policy,” Quinlan said.
Woodard was also an influential advocate for stronger parliamentary scrutiny of decisions to commit Australia to war. His work combined archival scholarship with the experience of someone who had participated directly in the making of Australian foreign policy.
“He was smart, forthright and ethical,” Quinlan said. “And above all, a contributor. He was part of a vital generation.”
The AIIA extends its condolences to Garry Woodard’s family, friends, former colleagues and the many diplomats, scholars and students influenced by his work.
