Mr Richard McKenzie Charlton AM (Fr 1952)
1935 - 2025

The Principal, Council and St Andrew’s College community honour the life of Richard McKenzie (Ric) Charlton AM (Fr 1952) who passed away in late October 2025.

Born on 20 March 1935 in Newcastle, Ric entered St Andrew’s College in Lent Term 1952, matriculating from Newcastle Technical High School to study Engineering. Arriving at College in the year before the Reid building was finished, Ric was lodged along with other Freshers in one of the ex-Army demountable huts clustered around the Main Building. 

An annotation on his Application for Residence in College indicates he was School Captain, and an all-rounder with a “fairly good” academic record. His valedictory bio statement, printed in the 1956 College magazine, confirms his all-rounder status in the sporting arena, lamenting his departure from College for the “great gaps he will leave in the sporting teams”. In each of his years at St Andrew’s, Ric represented the College in Rawson Cup rugby and swimming, and the University in rugby, swimming and basketball. His sporting prowess was rewarded with Blues in Rugby and Basketball, and his academic prowess with a smattering of distinctions and credits. In addition to his sporting and academic achievements, Ric appears to have also excelled in the less official arts of student life, remembered as “a master of most forms of devilry”. More importantly, he was regarded as a good friend to so many college men.

After graduating from the University of Sydney with a Master's degree of Engineering Science in 1959, Ric joined Shell as a Trainee Petroleum Engineer. Over the course of his career, he worked in Holland, Nigeria, Trinidad, Brunei, England, Australia, Scotland and Malaysia before moving to the USA after his career in Shell finished. He progressed to senior leadership roles before retiring from Shell in 1995.

In 1975 Charlton became General Manager Exploration & Production for Shell in Australia. In 1980 he became Director of Operations for Shell UK Exploration & Production in The Hague, Netherlands. In 1991 Charlton returned to Australia again to take up the position of Chairman and CEO of Shell Australia.

In 1994 Charlton became Chancellor of the University of Newcastle and remained in the position until 2004.

In addition to his work with Shell, Charlton held other roles in the petroleum industry, including Chairman of the Australian Petroleum Exploration Association, Chairman of the Australian Institute of Petroleum, and Deputy Chairman of Woodside Petroleum. Appointments in other industries include Chairman of the National Basketball League, Director of Coles Myer, Chairman of the Royal Children’s Hospital Research Institute and a committee member of the Victoria Racing Club and Moonee Valley Racing Club. He also played a key role in the establishment of the Australia-Malaysia Society.

In 1996, Charlton became a Member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to the petroleum industry and the community.

Ric retained an interest in College affairs and served as the Chairman of the College Foundation from 1995 to 1998, and was also a Governor as a result of his generosity.

Ric is survived by his children: Richard (Fr 1979), Jeremy, Mackenzie and Samantha; his 9 grandchildren: Gabriella, Oliver, Sophia, Ricky, Elizabeth, Bonnie, Quinn, Pacey and Chloe; as well as his second wife Pauline and his wife Eleanor.

The Charlton family is held strongly in our thoughts, and our deepest sympathy is extended to them and all who knew Ric.

A memorial service will be held in San Diego on Saturday, 6 December at 1:00 pm at La Jolla Music Society, 7600 Faye Street, La Jolla, California.

La Jolla (pronounced la hoya) is a suburb of San Diego. Ric Spent the last 10 years in San Diego, and the La Jolla Music Society, with its associated performing centre, was a delight for him whilst continuing to pursue a lifetime interest in the performing arts. As such it will be wonderful to celebrate his life at this venue.

The College thanks Ric's son Richard for his assistance in collating this Notice of Passing.