John Knott (public servant)

Sir John Lawrence Knott AC CBE (6 July 1910 – 1999) was a senior Australian public servant. He was Director-General of the Postmaster-General's Department from 1968 to 1972. Afterwards he was appointed a company director in private industry.

Sir John Knott AC CBE
Secretary of the Department of Defence Production
In office 8 August 1957 – 23 April 1958
Secretary of the Department of Supply
In office 13 October 1959 – 12 March 1966
Director-General of the Postmaster-General's Department
In office 12 December 1968 – 14 January 1972
Personal details
Born	John Lawrence Knott (1910-07-06)6 July 1910 Romsey, Victoria
Died	1999 (aged 88–89)
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	University of Melbourne
Occupation	Public servant

Life and career

Knott was born in Romsey, Victoria on 6 July 1910.[1]

Between August 1957 and April 1958, Knott headed the Department of Defence Production.[2]

He was Secretary of the Department of Supply between 1959 and 1966.[3] During his time in the role, he accompanied Minister for Supply Allen Fairhall overseas visiting the United Kingdom and the United States on departmental business.[4]

In 1966, Knott was appointed Deputy High Commissioner London.[1] At the end of his term in November 1968, when he had been already appointed to head the Postmaster-General's Department starting the following month, Knott attended the UN World Space Conference in Vienna.[5]

Between December 1968 and January 1972, Knott was Director-General of the Postmaster-General's Department.[6]

In 1972, Knott was appointed to the board of Equity Trustees and Agency Co Ltd.[7]

Awards

While Deputy Secretary of the Defence Production Department in January 1957, Knott was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.[8] He was promoted to Commander of the Order in December 1960 whilst Secretary of the Department of Supply.[9]

Knott was appointed a Knight Bachelor in June 1971 for his public service.[10]

References

1. Biographical entry: Knott, John Laurence (1910-1999), Encyclopedia of Australian Science, archived from the original on 1 October 2014
2. CA 58: Department of Defence Production, Central Administration, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 28 September 2014
3. CA 57: Department of Supply, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 17 December 2013
4. Gorton, John (12 May 1963). "Minister for Supply to go overseas" (Press release). Archived from the original on 6 December 2014.
5. "Mr Knott for space talks". The Canberra Times. 9 November 1968. p. 9.
6. CA 9: Postmaster-General's Department, Central Administration, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 21 November 2014
7. "Public servants in industry". The Canberra Times. 27 January 1972. p. 21.
8. "Search Australian Honours: KNOTT, John Lawrence", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 6 December 2014
9. "Search Australian Honours: KNOTT, John Lawrence", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 6 December 2014
10. "Search Australian Honours: KNOTT, John Laurence", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 6 December 2014

Government offices
Preceded by Harold Breen	Secretary of the Department of Defence Production 1957 – 1958	Succeeded by Frank O'Connor as Secretary of the Department of Supply
Preceded by Frank O'Connor	Secretary of the Department of Supply 1959 – 1966	Succeeded by Alan Cooley
Preceded by Trevor Housley	Director-General of the Postmaster-General's Department 1968 – 1972	Succeeded by E.F. Lane