Richard Lane (writer)

In 1988, the Guild awarded him a special award for outstanding contribution to the guild. This special award, named Richard Lane Award, has become an annual award that is presented to an AWG member "in recognition of their outstanding service to the Guild".

Besides his writing, Lane is known for the work he did in forming the Australian Writers Guild. He was part of the group which formed it in 1962, and was its Vice-President from 1962–64 and then its third President from 1964-68. He was involved in "setting up state branches for the guild, lobbying for an Australian quota, introducing the AWGIE Awards for writers, and helping establish the Australian Film and Television School". Lane was also committed to developing a standard industry-wide contract for use between writers and the production companies or networks, using British agreements as a model. While there was initial support within the industry, problems occurred over the issue of residuals, particularly with the ABC. The ABC finally signed the Guild's standard contract in the early 1970s.

By 1949, he was recognised as Australia's "foremost radio playwright". He decided at this time to go freelance, and directed as well as wrote radio drama. With the arrival of television in Australian in 1956, he began writing for that medium too.

Richard Hamilton Lane (OAM), (18 January 1918 – 20 February 2008) was an Australian writer (dramatist and playwright) known particularly for his skillful adaptation of plays and films for radio. He is often called the father of Australian radio drama. His career spanned over 60 years, and he is recognised not only for his writing achievements but for his contribution to the Australian Writers' Guild. He also wrote for television, and was described after his death as "luminary of the Australian radio and television industries".