Dr G.K. Harinath OAM, Dr Hari, as he was affectionately known, was a respected and admired community leader, one who has left an enduring footprint on the multicultural sector.

Dr Harinath came to Australia from Hyderabad in 1971. In 1977, he joined Balmain Cricket Club (now Sydney Cricket Club) as their team doctor. It wasn’t long before Dr Hari became the club president- a role he held for more than 30 years. Then in May of 2008, Dr Harinath was elected as the first man of Indian origin to chair Cricket NSW, a position he held for five years.

Dr Hari joined the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board in July 2013, becoming Chairperson in September 2014, a position he held for eight years.

Those eight years included many challenging events and issues for community harmony, and Multicultural NSW played a key part in addressing these issues under Dr Hari’s stewardship: conflicts in Syria and Iraq generated the worst humanitarian crisis since WWII and saw NSW open its arms to refugees fleeing the crisis; ISIS-inspired terror attacks in Sydney and Parramatta and the far-right wing terrorist attack on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, directly impacted our communities and community harmony; and a global pandemic called on communities to rally together in a time of great need. Dr Hari’s wise counsel and his true humanity were greatly valued by the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board and CEOs, past and present, during these challenging times.

As a person, Dr Hari was generous, warm and kind. He was passionate about giving young people a voice and was an advocate for gender equity. He was a long-time mentor to Multicultural NSW, and to many people in the community.

Dr Hari’s influence and leadership reflected a life dedicated to service. He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his service to cricket through executive roles at the state and national level, and to the community.

He was presented with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by the President of India in 2017, the highest honour conferred to Indians living overseas.

In recognition of his long-standing service to multiculturalism and community harmony, the former Premier and Minister for Multiculturalism extended Dr Hari the honour of being the first Chairperson Emeritus appointed to the Multicultural NSW Advisory Board.

Dr Hari passed away in November 2023, surrounded by his wife Gayathri and his two children, Neeta and Vikram. The outpouring of condolence messages show how much Dr Hari was valued and respected.

The world has farewelled a kind, wise and gentle man who leaves an extraordinary legacy. Thank you, Dr Hari, for your remarkable contribution to our State.

May you rest in peace.