William Richard McKeown - TLM Hero

Richard McKeown served as Executive Secretary to TLM Australia (TLMA) from 1963 to 1976 following a successful career in administration and advertising. Under Richard's leadership, TLM expanded its work Indonesia and increased its support to the McKean Rehabilitation Institute in Thailand.

Throughout this time, Australia provided a steady stream of staff support to the McKean centre, including two nurses, two physiotherapists, and Trevor and Heather Smith.

In the 1970s, Richard was made Field Director for South East Asia, taking on responsibility for the work in Thailand Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

This meant overseeing TLM’s work in areas of health, reconstructive surgery, leprosy control, research and teaching programs for indigenous medical workers to increase their knowledge about leprosy and early diagnosis. One of Richard McKeown’s great aims was to see workers trained in the treatment and control of leprosy and he did much to promote this.

Gratitude to God is given for the service of Mr William Richard McKeown in opening the work in South East Asia and for the co-operation of Governments and the Church in Thailand, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. William McKeown resigned from his role with the International Office in December 1978 following 15 years of service to TLM.