Accomplished Much In Adversity With Inspiring 'let's Do It' Attitude

The Age

Friday November 7, 2008

Bernard Richards

TIM RICHARDS

LAWYER

15-8-1972 - 21-10-2008

TIM Richards, founder of the video game forum Dissecta and convener of the Transplant Waiting List Advocacy Group, has died at The Alfred following a heart and double lung transplant. He was 36.

The youngest of eight children, Tim was born in Melbourne and educated at StBede's College, Mentone. First-class honours in science at Melbourne University was followed by law studies at Monash University.

His working life began at the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce and he was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria before spending several years with Rubber Records, an independent record label.

In 2000, he moved to Canberra as a senior lawyer with the Australian Communications Authority, followed by employment with the Gold Coast City Council. He returned to Melbourne in 2005 as a company secretary and legal counsel for a successful Australian wireless entertainment and communication company.

Despite a busy and fulfilling career, Tim also spent his early days fostering a serious interest in digital media and video game development. In the late 1990s, he established his own multimedia company, ematic, to help channel his thoughts on the internet and the mobile phone. He also contributed to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald newspapers, edited the Game Developers Association of Australia newsletter, and in June 2005 founded Dissecta as a regular lecture series focused on video game development.

Described as "a great forum for gamers and members of the industry to hear about issues affecting the business and the medium", Dissecta received sponsorship from Film Victoria. Earlier this year, Tim's general initiative and contributions were recognised by Film Victoria with the establishment of the annual Tim Richards Award for excellence by a digital media company.

He founded and managed Dissecta in the face of considerable adversity. At age two, he had surgery to correct a congenital heart defect. This issue resurfaced in January 2005 when Tim suffered a rapid decline in health; he was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and required a heart and lung transplant.

Tim was put on the waiting list and as well as maintaining his conventional legal career and Dissecta, he founded The Transplant Waiting List Advocacy Group to raise awareness about issues associated with organ donation.

In addition to the internet, newspaper contributions and letter writing, on a hot day in February Tim spoke at length in Federation Square about "Life on the List". In founding both Dissecta and the advocacy group, he lived up to his favourite saying: Why not? Let's do it.

Tim was on the list for more than three years when the call came in late August. During his time on the list he got on with life as best he could in the face of his severe physical limitations. His attitude and courage were an inspiration to everyone close to him. He was elated when rushed to The Alfred for his transplants, but despite fighting hard for two months things did not work out.

Tim is survived by his wife, Sanae, four-year-old son Conan, parents Mick and Maureen, and siblings Michael, Greg, Paul, Kathleen, Anne, John and Bernard.

© 2008 The Age

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