Passing of Sir Harold Knight KBE DSC

On behalf of current and former colleagues at the Reserve Bank, the Governor, Glenn Stevens, records, with deep regret, that former Governor, Sir Harold Knight KBE DSC, known to his friends and family as Harry, died on 19 June 2015, aged 95. Sir Harold was Governor of the Reserve Bank from 1975 to 1982.

Harold (Harry) Murray Knight joined the Commonwealth Bank in 1936. His time at the central bank was punctuated by the outbreak of the Second World War, in which he served in both the Army and Navy. In 1945 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for survey operations while serving in the Far East. He returned to the Commonwealth Bank in 1946 and after a string of promotions was seconded to the International Monetary Fund, during which time he became actively involved in teaching Latin Americans about money matters in Spanish. After returning to Australia in 1959, he completed his Master of Commerce degree at Melbourne University. He was appointed Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank in 1968 and at the end of his term in 1975 was appointed Governor. He held the role of Governor until his retirement in 1982, having served at the Bank for 46 years.

Appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for services to banking, Sir Harold is remembered for his dedication and integrity, his strong interest in the community and his exemplary leadership. The Reserve Bank Board and staff extend their condolences to his family.