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Indonesia business pioneer receives
Dunlop Asia Medal

Thursday, June 2, 2005

An engineer at the vanguard of Australian business engagement with Indonesia will tomorrow receive the Dunlop Asia Medal for long-term commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the region and improving Australia-Asia relations.

Dr Harold Clough, former chairman and a current director of Clough Limited, a
leading Australian engineering and construction company, will be presented with the Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop Asia Medal at an Asialink ceremony at the Melbourne Town Hall at 6.15 pm.

The award honors the outstanding Australian war hero and medical surgeon, “Weary” Dunlop, who became an ambassador for Australia-Asia relations. Weary’s place in the hearts of his countrymen and women was earned first by his selflessness and self-sacrifice as a doctor and prisoner-of-war during the war against Japan, and then through his post-war work in building friendships and restoring relationships throughout Asia, not least with Japan itself.

Over the past 30 years, with equal optimism and enthusiasm for the Asia-Australia relationship, Harold Clough has instigated the development of projects and operatingbases in Indonesia, New Guinea, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Pakistan, India and China.

Dr Clough has always been passionate in his optimism and confidence in the Indonesian people and, through a Clough scholarship system, has encouraged andnurtured young engineers from throughout the Asian region. The Clough Scholarship Scheme, established in 1972, was expanded from Australia into Indonesia in 1987. There is a successful Indonesian scholarship program associated with the Institute of Technology, Bandung, and other new programs have been implemented since 1995 with a range of institutions.

Announcing the award today, Sir Ninian Stephen, Asialink Patron and former
Australian Governor General, said Dr Clough’s business life had been characterised by adventure and enterprise.

“He has worked in tree-house offices deep in the mountainous jungles of Indonesia, in desert regions within sight of the ancient Silk Route in Pakistan, in rigs and barges off the coasts of Indonesia and China, and in downtown Bangkok, “ Sir Ninian said. “He has been caught in the crossfire of troops in Jakarta in 1975 and has witnessed the pride of Indonesian parents at scholarship award ceremonies for their children,” he said.

Dr Clough is currently a member of the Board of the Australian Government’s
Australia Indonesia Institute, the Asia Society, Austral Asia Centre, the Australian
Malaysia Cultural Foundation Incorporated, is Patron of the Korean Chamber of
Commerce in Western Australia and is vice president of the Victor Chang Foundation Limited.

He has previously been Chairman of the Western Australian Trade Advisory Council, and a member of the Trade Policy Advisory Council and White Paper Advisory Panel on Foreign Trade and policy to the Australian Government.

“Dr Clough has an outstanding record of achievement in improving the Australia-Asia relationship and is an inspirational example to all Australians,” Sir Ninian said.

The Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Awards Selection Committee, under the
patronage of Sir Ninian Stephen, oversees the Awards' program, which includes the Dunlop Asia Fellowships, providing up to $15,000 for outstanding young Australians to pursue projects in Asian countries.