{{short description |Australian automotive engineer, inventor and businessman}} {{More footnotes needed|date=February 2014}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Ralph Sarich | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}} | image = | caption = | birth_name = Ralph Tony Sarich | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1938|12|10|df=y}} | birth_place = Baskerville, Western Australia, Australia | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Automotive engineer, businessman | known_for = Developed the orbital engine and the orbital combustion process engine<ref name=eoas/> | spouse = Patricia (m. 1962) | children = 2 | awards = {{nowrap|The Churchill Medal (BSE, 1987)<ref name=CT/>}} }} '''Ralph Tony Sarich''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AO}}<ref name=AO>{{Cite It's an Honour |ausawardid=881788 |date=26 January 1988 |recipient=Mr Ralph Tony SARICH |award=Officer of the Order of Australia |postnominal=AO |citation=For service to engineering |postscript= |accessdate=29 June 2014 }}</ref> (born 10 December 1938) is an Australian automotive engineer, inventor, and businessman who developed the orbital engine and the orbital combustion process engine.<ref name=eoas>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Sarich, Ralph Tony (1938 - ) |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Australian Science |publication-date=2011 |url=http://www.eoas.info/biogs/P003926b.htm |access-date=29 June 2014 }}</ref> Sarich founded the Orbital Engine Company, which developed the orbital combustion process (OCP) engine, based on the two-stroke concept.
==Early life== Sarich was born on 10 December 1938 in Baskerville, Western Australia,<ref name=eoas/> to an Austrian and Croat family. His parents arrived in Australia before the Great Depression of the 1930s. Sarich began an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner, studying high school years 11 and 12 subjects part-time at Midland Technical School. He qualified with top achievement at the completion of his apprenticeship, during and after which he did engineering units one day per week, night classes, and by correspondence.
==Career== His working career encompassed being a fitter and turner and trainee engineer with the Western Australian Government Railways between 1954 and 1963. He was a plant engineer with Thiess Brothers between 1963 and 1965, in charge of the standard gauge project before running his own business,<ref name=eoas/> an engineering and service station operator. Sarich was a sales engineer as well as an investor in the area of earth moving and industrial machinery before being regional general manager and an investor. As he developed the orbital engine, he became managing director of Orbital Engine Company, and chief executive officer and chairman of Orbital Engine Corporation. Following his retirement from Orbital, he became Executive Chairman of Cape Bouvard Investments, a private family investment company.<ref name=eoas/>
===Orbital engine=== {{main|Orbital engine}} Sarich concentrated on research and development of new technologies, in particular the orbital engine. The engine was first fired in 1972, and Sarich appeared on the ABC TV program ''The Inventors'' in 1972, claiming that the engine's compact design promised more power, fewer emissions and significant fuel economy.<ref name=abcrn>{{Cite episode |title=Fuel saving follies |url=http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/ockhamsrazor/fuel-saving-follies/3051038#transcript |access-date=29 June 2014 |series=Ockham's Razor |author1=Williams, Robyn |author-link=Robyn Williams |author2=Ryle, Gerard |network=ABC |station=Radio National |location=Australia |date=30 August 2009 }}</ref> The technology was endorsed by the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia in 1974:<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/53174758/ |title=New Sarich engine: Simplicity its beauty |newspaper=The Pocono Record |location=The Stroudsburgs, Pennsylvania |date=29 November 1974 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=13 }}</ref> {{quotation|"We believe this exciting and unique engine has the potential to revolutionize transport and allied technologies including automotive, aeronautical, marine and all forms of industrial and agricultural applications. "The revolution could not possibly occur in the short term, as a great deal of research and development must yet be undertaken, (but) ultimate development should see the first lightweight, reliable diesel engine and a near pollution* free petrol (gasoline) version suitable for a wide range of applications and contributing significantly to atmospheric control standards."|Ian Miller of the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia, 1974}}
The "staged combustion" process was later named the orbital combustion process (OCP). There were two distinct orbital concepts: the OCP technology and the orbital engine hardware that converted the resultant combustion energy to mechanical output to drive vehicles. Under simulated urban and highway driving cycles, it produced fuel and emission results superior to the best selected engines of the era. This was due to the OCP, often wrongly referred to as the fuel injection system because of its vital role in this technology. As the OCP technology was used on conventional engines to improve their performance this then led to inaccurate reporting claiming that the Orbital Engine Technology had failed. However, this combination was deemed to be the most cost-effective direction because it eliminated production re-tooling costs, which were inhibiting factors for mass production using orbital engine hardware.
Despite being offered A$12 million in 1973 for his stake in Orbital, Sarich refused to sell.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136972710 |title=Sarich rejects $12m. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=30 April 1973 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> BHP was an early investor in Sarich's Orbital Engine Company, taking a stake in the early 1970s that by 1989 represented 35% of the total company equity.<ref name=SunHerald>{{cite news |url=http://www.australianmotorcycles.com.au/australian-motor-cycles-articles/1989/8/12/sarich-reveals-why-he-abandoned-australia/ |work=The Sun-Herald |title=Sarich Reveals Why He Abandoned Australia |author=Fitzgerald, Sally |date=12 August 1989 |access-date=29 June 2014 |publisher=Australian Motor Cycles }}</ref>
The OCP component of the engine was described in the 1980s by the Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL) for NASA, as the "cutting edge of world engine technology".{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} International emission testing laboratories confirmed the Australian results.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} Fuel economy advantages of 50% were demonstrated against the best outboard marine engines and 20–25% under typical automobile operating conditions.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} Additional savings of 5–10% were considered readily achievable with further development.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} The savings were accompanied by a massive reduction in the "direct engine out" of several key emissions gases.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}}
The OCP technology was sold as intellectual property (IP) to automobile, marine and motorcycle manufacturers and was incorporated in production engines to varying degrees; namely from complete systems to the improvement of their own technology, via knowledge gained from their IP purchases.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} All licensing payments were conditional upon the delivery of engines meeting numerous high emissions standards, fuel economies and other technical criteria. All deliveries met these criteria prior to Sarich's retirement in 1992, resulting in no dependent monetary penalties ever being incurred to that point in time.
However, key components of Sarich's engine could not be cooled and others could not be readily lubricated. The engine was susceptible to overheating, and the invention was eventually deemed too impractical.<ref name=abcrn/>
====In the United States==== Sarich sought A$100 million in investment from the Australian Government in order to commence manufacture of the engine in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101990146 |title=Sarich bid 'ploy for corporate welfare'. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=20 June 1988 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In 1989, the government offered an industry support package of A$15{{endash}}16.5 million, which Sarich declined,<ref name=SunHerald/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122093877 |title=Sarich goes on attack over Govt 'propaganda'. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=20 October 1989 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=19 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and he proceeded to make arrangements to establish operations in the United States. He floated Orbital Engine Corporation in the US via an initial public offering that raised A$113.8 million in 1992<ref name="BRW2014"/> and the company began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1998, Sarich reported that Orbital Engine Corporation had entered into a non{{endash}}exclusive licensing agreement with Ford to develop and test a pilot for the manufacture of the orbital engine.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101991792 |title=Sarich signs licensing agreement with Ford. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 June 1988 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In January 1992, General Motors displayed its newest concept car called the "Ultralite", incorporating OCP technology, as its centrepiece at the Detroit International Auto Show. In April 1992, another of the world's largest automotive manufacturers signed an agreement to take a licence for OCP technology.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}}
====In other countries==== In 1991, it was reported that Orbital Engine Corporation entered into a licensing agreement with Fiat, an Italian car manufacturer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122337887 |title=Fiat strikes deal for Sarich orbital engine |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=17 January 1991 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=23 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Despite initial interest, Czechoslovak manufacturer, Škoda, withdrew from licensing negotiations in 1989, citing poor economic conditions in the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120868066 |title=Czechoslovakia loses interest in Sarich engine |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=22 December 1989 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Volkswagen terminated its agreement with Orbital in 1993, citing a softer European sales market.<ref name=CTvw>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127233160 |title=Orbital shares fall, profit downgraded. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=16 June 1993 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
===Other inventions=== In addition to the orbital engine, Sarich is credited with the following additional inventions:{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} *Earth moving scraper/scoop *Initial Australian Water Watcher *Special orchard cultivator *Non-geared transmission for cars *High pressure orchard spray pump *Security Cable Gate – sold Australia wide *Linear Wind Generator<ref>http://www.lineartechnologies.com.au Linear Wind Generator</ref> *World's first two-speed reel for Marlin fishing
===Value and retirement=== As Orbital Engine Corporation sold its IP to manufacturers and the company did not manufacture engines, the success of Orbital was doubted.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122274079 |title=Sarich silences critics with plans for mass-production. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=4 August 1989 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122275877 |title=Sarich dismisses the doubters. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=12 August 1989 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=29 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name=CTsale/> However, the company's financial success is reflected in the fiscal years 1989,{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} 1990 (A$23.5m),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122308186 |title=Sarich profit up 130pc. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=1 September 1990 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=15 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> 1991<ref name="CT1991">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122346398 |title=Record profits as Sarich motors power |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=1 March 1991 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and 1992 (A$22.75m).<ref name=CTvw/>
Orbital's capitalised value upon Sarich's retirement as CEO in 1992 was in excess of A$1 billion.<ref name="CT1991"/> Over A$200 million at the time in cash, receivables, and research value convertible to cash, were scheduled for commercial investment as insurance against excessive dependence on the auto industry.{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} Sarich converted a component of the risk element into relatively secure investments in synergetic corporations as patents expired and related IP income ceased. Since his retirement, Orbital's new management has invested retained earnings in further research. Sarich sold his equity for a reputed A$100 million.<ref name="BRW2014">{{cite journal |url=http://www.brw.com.au/p/lists/rich-200/2014/brw_rich_list_ralph_sarich_s6U4nHTz0FMvbSpxeEFl0I |title=BRW Rich 200 list 2014: 38. Ralph Sarich |journal=BRW |date=27 June 2014 |access-date=29 June 2014 |location=Sydney }}</ref><ref name=CTsale>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127523999 |title=Sarich family sells bulk of Orbital stake |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=13 November 1993 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=13 Section: Saturday Magazine |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Following his retirement from Orbital, Cape Bouvard Investments (CBI) became the main focus for Sarich in his capacity as Executive Chairman of the private family investment company; while his son Peter is responsible for operations. CBI invests in numerous fields such as property investment, property development, technology and equities.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/sarich-in-500m-property-deal/story-e6frg13u-1111112779450?nk=69389db8dc8fb105d073b51944b70ded |title=Sarich in $500m property deal |work=The Sunday Times |location=Perth |author1=O'Brien, Amanda |author2=Chong, Florence |access-date=29 June 2014 |date=3 January 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/business-old/sarichs-500m-green-dream/story-e6frg9gx-1111112825109?nk=69389db8dc8fb105d073b51944b70ded |title=Sarich's $500m green dream |work=The Australian |author1=O'Brien, Amanda |access-date=29 June 2014 |date=13 January 2007 }}</ref>
==Personal life== Sarich met Patricia in 1957, and they married in September 1962. Her parents also migrated to Australia as little children from Britain after World War I. Patricia was born in Kellerberrin, Western Australia. They have two children, Peter and Jennifer (deceased).
Sarich donated a considerable amount of the profits from the Orbital Corporation into the community, including commitments of approximately A$65 million to various charitable organisations, {{citation needed|date=June 2014}} including an A$20 million gift in 2008 towards neuroscience medical research facilities in Perth.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/magnates-20m-medical-gift/story-e6frg6pf-1111117064582 |title=Magnate Ralph Sarich's $20m medical gift |author=O'Brien, Amanda |work=The Australian |date=31 July 2008 |access-date=29 June 2014 }}</ref>
=== Net worth === In 2015, the ''Business Review Weekly'' (''BRW'') Rich List assessed Sarich's net worth to be {{AUD}}1.05 billion,<ref name="brw2015"/> and on the ''Forbes'' list of Australia's 50 Richest people, Sarich's net worth was estimated at {{USD}}0.66 billion.<ref name="Forbes2015"/> {{as of|2025|05}}, the ''Financial Review'' Rich List, which replaced the ''BRW'', assessed Sarich's net worth at {{AUD}}1.72 billion.<ref name="afr2025"/>
{{columns-start}} {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan=2 | Year ! colspan=2 | ''Financial Review''<br/>Rich List ! colspan=2 | ''Forbes''<br>Australia's 50 Richest |- ! Rank ! Net worth (A$) ! Rank ! {{nowrap|Net worth (US$)}} |- | 2015<ref name="brw2015">{{cite journal|editor=Stensholt, John |url=http://www.brw.com.au/lists/interactives/entity.html?entity=ralph-sarich&edition=32&questions=819,820&sort=1,asc&page=0|title=2015 BRW Rich 200: #46 Ralph Sarich|journal=BRW|location=Sydney|date=May 2015|access-date=9 June 2015 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="Forbes2015">{{cite journal |title=Australia's 50 Richest People: #44 Ralph Sarich |journal=Forbes Asia |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/ralph-sarich/?list=australia-billionaires |date=30 January 2015 |location=Singapore |access-date=14 June 2015 }}</ref> | align="center" | {{nts|46}} | align="right" | $1.05 billion | align="center" | {{nts|44}} {{steady}} | align="right" | $0.66 billion {{gain}} |- | 2016<ref name="brw2016">{{cite journal|editor=Stensholt, John |url=http://www.afr.com/leadership/brw-lists/brw-rich-200-list-2016-20160526-gp4ejn |title=2016 BRW Rich 200 |journal=Financial Review |location=Australia|date=27 May 2016 |access-date=7 June 2016 |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="Forbes2016">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesasia/2016/01/27/gina-rinehart-loses-her-no-1-spot/#61808088479d|title=Gina Rinehart Loses Her No. 1 Spot |access-date=22 October 2019|work=Forbes Asia|date=27 January 2016 }}</ref> | align="center" | | align="right" | | align="center" | {{nts|40}} {{gain}} | align="right" | $0.66 billion {{steady}} |- | 2017<ref name="afr2017">{{cite news |url=http://www.afr.com/leadership/afr-lists/rich-list/financial-review-rich-list-2017-20170525-gwcvr6 |editor=Stensholt, John |title=Financial Review Rich List 2017 |work=Australian Financial Review |date=25 May 2017 |access-date=8 June 2017 }}</ref><ref name="crikey2017">{{cite news |url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2017/05/26/tmaynes-take-the-top-25-australian-billionaires-as-claimed-by-fairfax-media/ |author=Mayne, Stephen |author-link=Stephen Mayne |title=Mayne's take: The top 25 Australian billionaires, as claimed by Fairfax |work=Crikey |publisher=Private Media |date=26 May 2017 |access-date=10 October 2019 }}</ref> | align="center" | | align="right" | $1.12 billion {{increase}} | align="center" | | align="right" | |- | 2018<ref name="afr2018">{{cite web|url=http://www.afr.com/brand/afr-magazine/rich-list-overview-20180413-h0yqo5|title=2018 AFR Rich List: Who are Australia's richest people?|work=Australian Financial Review|date=25 May 2018|editor=Stensholt, John|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref> | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|63}} {{increase}}}} | align="right" | $1.23 billion {{increase}} | align="center" | | align="right" | |- | 2019<ref name="afr2019">{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-10-wealthiest-people-revealed-20190529-p51sj0|title=Australia's 200 richest people revealed|work=Australian Financial Review |publisher=Nine Publishing|date=30 May 2019|last=Bailey|first=Michael|access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref><ref name="Forbes2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/australia-billionaires/list/#tab:overall|title=2019 Australia's 50 Richest|access-date=28 September 2019|work=Forbes Asia|date=January 2019 }}</ref> | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|76}} {{decrease}}}} | align="right" | $1.20 billion {{decrease}} | align="center" | {{nts|46}} {{decrease}} | align="right" | $0.81 billion {{increase}} |- | 2020<ref name="afr2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/rich-list/the-10-richest-australians-revealed-20201028-p569c7|url-access=subscription|title=The full list: Australia's wealthiest 200 revealed|work=Australian Financial Review|publisher=Nine Publishing|date=30 October 2020|author1=Bailey, Michael|author2=Sprague, Julie-anne|access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|94}} {{decrease}}}} | align="right" | $1.08 billion {{decrease}} | align="center" | | align="right" | |- | 2022 | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|80}} {{up}}}} | align="right" | $1.60 billion {{up}} | align="center" | | align="right" | |- | 2023<ref name="afr2023">{{cite news |author1=Bailey, Michael |author2=Sprague, Julie-anne |url=https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-10-richest-people-revealed-20230523-p5dapa |title=The 200 richest people in Australia revealed |work=Australian Financial Review |date=26 May 2023 |access-date=6 June 2023}}</ref> | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|86}} {{down}}}} | align="right" | $1.57 billion {{down}} | align="center" | | align="right" | |- | 2024<ref name="afr2024">{{cite news |author1=Redrup, Yolanda |author2=Bailey, Michael |url=https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-10-richest-people-revealed-20240521-p5jfe4 |title=Australia's wealthiest 200 now control $625b |work=Australian Financial Review |date=30 May 2024 |access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref> | align="center" | | align="right" | $1.60 billion {{up}} | align="center" | | align="right" | |- | 2025<ref name="afr2025">{{cite news |author1=Redrup, Yolanda |url=https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-wealthiest-200-revealed-fortunes-blow-past-667b-20250509-p5lxxb |title=Australia’s wealthiest 200 revealed, fortunes blow past $667b |work=Australian Financial Review |date=30 May 2025 |access-date=31 May 2025 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> | align="center" | {{nts|99}} | align="right" | $1.72 billion {{up}} | align="center" | | align="right" | |}
{{column}} {| class="wikitable" !colspan="2"|<small>Legend</small> |- !<small> Icon</small> !<small> Description</small> |- |{{steady}} |<small>Has not changed from the previous year</small> |- |{{profit}} |<small>Has increased from the previous year</small> |- |{{loss}} |<small>Has decreased from the previous year</small> |} {{columns-end}}
===Awards=== Sarich has been the recipient of many prestigious engineering, commercial and civil awards including:
*1972 Australian Broadcasting Commission Inventor of the Year<ref name=SunHerald/> *1972 Citizen of the Year<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.burswoodpark.wa.gov.au/gallery.php?cat=4&image=60 |title=Photo Gallery - Burswood Park Board |access-date=27 September 2012 |archive-date=24 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324234149/http://www.burswoodpark.wa.gov.au/gallery.php?cat=4&image=60 |url-status=dead }}</ref> *1972 Sir Lawrence Hartnett Inventors Award – Science *1972 West Australian Citizen of the Year *1973 Jaycees Outstanding Young Australian *1986 Hartnett Medal of the Royal Society of Arts for contribution to manufacture and commerce *1987 Doctor of Science from Murdoch University<ref name=mu>{{cite web |url=http://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/study?section=honorary |title=Honorary Degree Recipients |work=Handbook |publisher=Murdoch University |date=2013 |access-date=29 June 2014 |archive-date=28 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228113602/https://handbook.murdoch.edu.au/study?section=honorary |url-status=dead }}</ref> *1988 Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to engineering<ref name=AO/> *1987 The Churchill Medal awarded by the Society of Engineers, and the first Australian to be awarded the Medal<ref name=CT>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102017679 |title=Sarich wins Churchill Medal. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=27 October 1988 |access-date=29 June 2014 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> *1988 Honorary Fellow of the Society of Engineers<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theiet.org/resources/library/archives/institution-history/hon-fellows.cfm |title=Honorary Fellows |work=IET history |publisher=Institution of Engineering & Technology |date=1988 |access-date=29 June 2014 }}</ref> *1991 Clunies Ross Award for automotive engineering by the National Academy of Science & Technology<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atse.org.au/atse/content/about/clunies-ross-awards/award-recipient-profiles/1991-award-recipient-profiles.aspx |title=1991 Clunies Ross Award Recipients |date=1991 |access-date=29 June 2014 |publisher=Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering }}</ref>
== Philanthropy == In July 2008, Sarich pledged A$20 million toward a new neuroscience research facility at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre in Perth, reported as one of Western Australia’s largest personal philanthropic gifts at the time.<ref>{{cite news |title=One of WA's richest men donates $20m to medical research |work=WA Today |date=26 August 2008 |url=https://www.capebouvard.com.au/files/Sarich%20Donates%20%2420M%20for%20WA%20Medical%20Research%20-%20WA%20Today%2026%20August%202008.pdf |access-date=12 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rich day, poor day: Perth billionaire donates $20 million |work=SmartCompany |date=31 July 2008 |url=https://www.smartcompany.com.au/finance/rich-day-poor-day-perth-billionaire-donates-20-million-while-pokie-king-loses-170-million/ |access-date=12 October 2025}}</ref> The resulting Ralph & Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute (SNRI) opened in April 2017 and houses multiple Western Australian research organisations, including the Perron Institute, the Ear Science Institute Australia, the Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, and Curtin University’s Neuroscience Research Laboratory.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our new building opening |website=Perron Institute |date=27 April 2017 |url=https://www.perroninstitute.org/our-new-building-opening/ |access-date=12 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Implant unlocks doors for family |work=The West Australian |date=26 April 2017 |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/perth/implant-unlocks-doors-for-family-ng-b88453089z |access-date=12 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Neuroscience Research Institute |website=Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation |url=https://alzheimers.com.au/our-work/neuroscience-research-institute/ |access-date=12 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Neuroscience |website=Curtin University |url=https://research.curtin.edu.au/healthsciences/health-sciences-research/our-research/biomedical-clinical-science/neuroscience/ |access-date=12 October 2025}}</ref> The facility was officially opened by the Governor of Western Australia, Kerry Sanderson.<ref>{{cite web |title=Our new building opening |website=Perron Institute |date=27 April 2017 |url=https://www.perroninstitute.org/our-new-building-opening/ |access-date=12 October 2025}}</ref>
==Published work== * {{cite book |author1=Sarich, Ralph |author2=Patent, Trade Marks and Designs Office |title=Improved rotary engines |publication-date=1970 |publisher=Patent Office, Australia }}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==Further reading== * {{cite book |author1=Davis, Pedr |title=Sarich, the man and his engines |year=1989 |publication-date=1989 |publisher=Marque Publishing |isbn=978-0-947079-08-6 }} * {{cite book |author1=Lawrence, Neil |author2=Bunk, Steve |title=The Stump jumpers: a new breed of Australians |year=1985 |publication-date=1985 |publisher=Hale & Iremonger |isbn=978-0-86806-222-8 }} * {{Cite thesis |title=Factors leading to offshore manufacture of Australian inventions: the case of the orbital combustion process engine |type=PhD thesis (PDF) |url=http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/489/2/02Whole.pdf |author=Manley, Karen Jane |year=1994 |publisher=Murdoch University |oclc=501441392 }} * {{cite interview |interviewer=Liam Bartlett |title=Ralph Sarich |publisher=ABC Radio |location=Australia |date=14 December 1999 }} * {{cite interview |interviewer=Michael Pavlich |title=Ralph Sarich |publisher=ABC Radio |location=Australia |date=6 June 2012 }} * RAC Magazine 1973 (Report) * Ford Fleet Validation Executive/Engineer statement 9/12/09 * ''Perth's Hot Marlin Chew'' Magazine, March 2000, p. 71 * {{cite Q |Q131576577 |mode=cs1 |page=15 |access-date=2024-12-28 }}
==External links== *{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1300&dat=19730123&id=FJIQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2ZADAAAAIBAJ&pg=5322,4155121 |title=The day the orbital motor took off |newspaper=The Age |author=Aiton, Douglas |location=Melbourne|date=23 January 1973 }} * {{cite AV media |people=Sarich, Ralph |year=1973 |title=Sarich Orbital Engine Ralph Sarich 1973 |medium=Streaming video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SiRqmo5Onc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/0SiRqmo5Onc |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube }}{{cbignore}} *{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19890218&id=zqgpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3O8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=7153,1241075 |title=The two-stroke engine: New life for an old idea? |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |author=Ross, Phillip E. |agency=The New York Times News Service |location=Spokane, Washington |date=18 February 1989 }}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sarich, Ralph}} Category:1938 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century Australian inventors Category:People from Western Australia Category:Australian people of Austrian descent Category:Australian people of Croatian descent Category:Australian billionaires Category:Australian philanthropists Category:Officers of the Order of Australia