Richard, their much loved son and only child was born to Jim and Heather Smith on Thursday, 5th December, 1985 at Calvary Hospital in Canberra, ACT. His primary schooling was completed at St Bede’s Catholic School Braidwood, NSW and he completed his secondary schooling at Trinity Catholic College, Goulburn, NSW.

Sport was a great love of Richard. He was awarded the Australia Day Medal for Young Sportsman of the Year for the Braidwood District. Another highlight for Richard was representing Australia at Rugby in Fiji in 2004 against the local Province champions.

Much of Richard’s spare time from when he was quite young, was devoted to lawn bowls - having been introduced to the game by his Dad. He travelled extensively competing in bowls competitions and was regarded as one of the top bowlers under 18 in NSW. As an adult, he played alongside and against some of the great bowlers in both New South Wales and Queensland. He played Premier League, which is the highest standard competition in lawn bowls, in both states as well.

Upon leaving school Richard joined the Army.  A bad run of health and injury saw Richard leave the Army and he began working in hospitality while he refocused on what direction he would take in life. It was while working as a barman that he dislocated his shoulder and this proved to be an ongoing painful and debilitating injury. Fortunately it was his left shoulder so he could still play bowls!

As one of his close friends said – the game was called for Richard when it was not even half way through. Richard passed away unexpectedly but peacefully, in his sleep on Saturday, 20th September 2008.  He was laid to rest in the Lawn Cemetry, Braidwood, NSW.