We are saddened to write that former AIIA Queensland President and AIIA Fellow, Professor Russell Trood, passed away on January 9 at the age of 68. He was a man of many achievements and admired on all sides of politics.

Professor Trood had a long history at Griffith University, including as Director of the Centre for the Study of Australia-Asia Relations and Director of the Griffith Asia Institute. From 2005 to 2011 Professor Trood was a Liberal Party senator for Queensland, serving in numerous committees and working tirelessly to promote Australia’s relations and interests in the Asia-Pacific.  Following parliamentary service, he served as National President of the United Nations Association of Australia and acted as an envoy for Australia’s UN Security Council bid. He was honoured as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs in 2016.

According to AIIA National President The Hon Kim Beazley AC FAIIA, “Russell was a contributor to the national discourse on foreign policy and national security matters of great substance. Politician, academic, writer, commentator he was a mentor to many. A humble man of quiet achievement. On behalf of the AIIA we express our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.”

Please follow this link to an article about Professor Russell Trood’s achievements, written by Anthony Bergin: In Memoriam: Russell Trood. Also, see “Tribute to Russell Trood by Adam Kamradt-Scott“.