Reverence and Remembrance: Dr Gorur Krishna Harinath: Remembering the first ‘Chairperson Emeritus,’ Order of Australia Medal recipient, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardee

Dr G K Harinath OAM, a prominent figure in the fields of multiculturalism, health, and cricket in Australia left for his heavenly abode on 18 November.

Dr Harinath has been known for his remarkable contribution to the community whose legacy will live on.

He has been honoured with several awards and recognitions for his contributions not only to the community but also the sports.

Dr Harinath, or Dr Hari as he was known, was born in India and migrated to Australia in 1971. With an MBBS degree and a diploma in tropical medicine and

hygiene, he served as general practitioner and Managing Director at the Eastgardens Medical Centre in Sydney.

He had been actively involved in promoting multiculturalism and social cohesion in New South Wales. He was appointed as the chairperson of Multicultural NSW, the state’s peak body for multicultural affairs, in 2014. He served in this role for eight years, until June 2022, when he was bestowed the honour of being the first ‘Chairperson Emeritus’ by the Premier of NSW and the Minister for Multiculturalism.

He also served as a commissioner at the Community Relations Commission of NSW, a member of the NSW Centenary of Anzac Advisory Council, and a chairperson of Parramasala, a festival of South Asian arts and culture.

Harinath, a doctor in sports medicine, was a cricket enthusiast and administrator; he has held various executive roles at state and national level, including being a board member of Cricket NSW, Cricket Australia, and the Sydney Cricket Club. He was also the President of the Sydney Cricket Club and the chairman of the NSW Cricket Association’s finance committee.

He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2009 for his service to cricket and the community.

In addition to his OAM, Dr Harinath has received other prestigious awards and honours.

In 2017, he was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (Medal) by the President of India, the highest honour conferred to Indians living overseas. He was also named as one of the 50 most influential people in Australian cricket by The Australian newspaper in 2015.

Dr Harinath was a respected and admired leader in the Australian society. He has made significant contributions to the fields of multiculturalism, health, and cricket, and has inspired many people with his vision and values.

He will always remain a role model for the diverse and harmonious community of NSW and Australia.