Leslie Bruce Hamilton CBE (4 July 1911 – 12 June 1989) was an Australian senior public servant and head of the Department of Social Services (later Social Security) between 1966 and 1973.
Bruce Hamilton | |
|---|---|
| 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 (aged 77) Acton, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Nationality |  Australian |
| Spouse(s) | Amy Mary Adam (m. 1936–1975; her death) Isobel Elizabeth Dahl (m. 1976–1989; his death) |
| Parent(s) | George Hamilton and Margaret Ann, née Peters |
| Occupation | Public servant |
Life and career
editBruce 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
editHamilton 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
edit- ^ a b c Crichton, Pam, "Hamilton, Leslie Bruce (1911–1989)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 23 April 2014
- ^ a b c "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, archived from the original on 13 July 2020, 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
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