James Heathershaw

James Thomas Heathershaw CBE (7 May 1871 – 25 July 1943) was an Australian public servant and the third Secretary of the Department of the Treasury.

James Heathershaw CBE
Secretary of the Department of the Treasury
In office 3 August 1926 – 28 April 1932
Personal details
Born	James Thomas Heathershaw (1871-05-07)7 May 1871 Beaufort, Victoria
Died	25 July 1943(1943-07-25) (aged 72) Oakleigh railway station, Melbourne, Victoria
Resting place	Kew Cemetery
Nationality	Australian
Spouse(s)	Rosa Ethel, née Rodway
Occupation	Public servant

Early life

Heathershaw was born on 7 May 1871 in Beaufort, Victoria.[1] He was the twelfth child of Henry and Amelia Nancy (née Robilliard),[1] and attended Flinders School in Geelong.[1]

Career

Heathershaw joined the Victorian Public Service in March 1889, transferring to the new Federal Department of the Treasury in 1902.[1] In 1926, Heathershaw was appointed Secretary of the Treasury Department,[2] becoming the third person ever to hold the position. He stood down from the role in 1932 due to poor health and went back to being Assistant Secretary in charge of pensions, compensation and insurance, before officially retiring in December 1935;[1][2][3] he had even delayed his retirement date by some nine months to finish reorganising the Treasury's pensions department.[1]

Personal life and death

Heathershaw married Rosa Ethel Rodway at the Primitive Methodist Church in Carlton, on 7 March 1901; they had a son and a daughter. James Heathershaw spent his final years in Elwood, Melbourne, where he enjoyed golfing and gardening.[1] He died on 25 July 1943, aged 72, at Oakleigh railway station.[4] The cause of death was reportedly cardiovascular disease.[1]

Awards

In June 1927 Heathershaw was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, while Secretary to the Treasury.[5][6]

References

1. Page, K.H., "Heathershaw, James Thomas (1871–1943)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 16 August 2014
2. 1921 - 1945: Key outcomes and developments, Department of the Treasury, 2001, archived from the original on 6 September 2005
3. "Centenary Highlights" (PDF). Department of the Treasury. p. 96.
4. "He signed banknotes". The Courier-Mail. 26 July 1943. p. 3.
5. "Search Australian Honours: HEATHERSHAW, James Thomas", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 16 August 2014
6. "Recipients of Birthday Honours". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 June 1927. p. 12.

Government offices
Preceded by James Collins	Secretary of the Department of the Treasury 1926 – 1932	Succeeded by Harry Sheehan