Richard was awarded the first Sir Daryl Lindsay scholarship to study architectural conservation at ICCROM in Rome. He has completed nine municipal heritage studies, and was heritage advisor at the City of Melbourne, East Gippsland, Manningham, Marroondah and the former City of Heidelberg. As an activist volunteer, he held various positions at the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) including 21 years on the Trust’s Board. He has also taught at RMIT University and elsewhere for 25 years.