Bruce Hamilton (public servant)
Leslie Bruce Hamilton CBE (4 July 1911 – 12 June 1989) was a senior Australian public servant and head of the Department of Social Services (later Social Security) between 1966 and 1973.
Bruce Hamilton CBE | |
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Secretary of the Department of Social Services | |
In office 1 January 1966 – 19 December 1972 | |
Secretary of the Department of Social Security | |
In office 20 December 1972 – 9 January 1973 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Leslie Bruce Hamilton 4 July 1911 Nook, Tasmania |
Died | 12 June 1989 77) Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | (aged
Nationality | |
Spouse(s) | Amy Mary Adam (m. 1936–1975; her death) Isobel Elizabeth Dahl (m. 1976–1989; his death) |
Parents | George Hamilton and Margaret Ann, née Peters |
Occupation | Public servant |
Life and career
Bruce Hamilton was born in Nook, Tasmania on 4 July 1911 to parents George Hamilton and Margaret Ann, née Peters.[1]
Hamilton began his Australian Public Service career in 1939 as Army Paymaster for Tasmania.[2] He moved to Canberra in 1940.[1][2]
On 1 January 1966, Hamilton was appointed Secretary of the Department of Social Services.[3] When the Whitlam Government was elected, the department was abolished and the new Department of Social Security established.[4] Hamilton was Secretary of the new department for less than a month before he retired.[5] During his time as head of the Social Services department, Hamilton broadened the department's scope by introducing legislation for deserted wives, for home care and for emergency relief.[2]
Hamilton's death was on 12 June 1989 at the Royal Canberra Hospital.[1]
Awards
Hamilton was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1966 whilst a First Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Treasury.[6] In June 1972 he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire during his time as Director-General of the Social Services Department.[7]
References
- Crichton, Pam, "Hamilton, Leslie Bruce (1911–1989)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 23 April 2014
- "Obituary: Bruce Hamilton Menzies' 'two-star general'". The Canberra Times. 12 July 1989. p. 23.
- CA 32: Department of Social Services, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 23 April 2014
- CA 1482: Department of Social Security, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 23 April 2014
- "PS officer to retire". The Canberra Times. 9 January 1973. p. 3.
- "Search Australian Honours: HAMILTON, Leslie Bruce", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 23 April 2014
- "Search Australian Honours: HAMILTON, Leslie Bruce", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 23 April 2014
Government offices | ||
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Preceded by Herbert Goodes |
Secretary of the Department of Social Services 1966 – 1972 |
Succeeded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Social Security |
Preceded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Social Services |
Secretary of the Department of Social Security 1972 – 1973 |
Succeeded by Louis Wienholt |