“I thought I should try and do something to help other people overcome their difficulties”
Roger Riordan AM is a pioneer of computer science in Australia and a significant philanthropist.
In 1973 he set up Cybec Electronics with his late wife, Sally and has donated millions of dollars to support scholarships and projects in social welfare, Indigenous health and education, medical research, the environment and the arts in Australia.
Of particular note is Roger's commitment to providing opportunities for indigenous students and refugees to participate in tertiary education. Over the past 15 years, Roger has provided scholarships for a number of disadvantaged students to attend Monash University.
“Meeting the people who I help is where the pleasure comes. I try to meet all the people I help. I meet the students, the refugees, the young mothers and their bubs. I think that’s what’s keeping me here; the pleasure I get from meeting all these young people.”
Roger was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2002 for "service to the community, particularly through the provision of a range of scholarship funds, and to information technology as a pioneer in the field of computer antivirus software.”
Following this interview, sadly Roger Riordan passed away in January 2019. Monash University extends its sincere condolences to his family, and thanks them for their continued support.