David Williamson McNicol CBE (20 June 1913 – 18 September 2001) was an Australian public servant and diplomat.
David McNicol | |
|---|---|
| Born | David Williamson McNicol 20 June 1913 Adelaide, South Australia, Australia |
| Died | 18 September 2001 (aged 88) Canberra, ACT, Australia |
| Education | Carey Baptist Grammar School King's College |
| Alma mater | University of Adelaide (BA) |
| Occupation(s) | Public servant, diplomat |
Early life and career
editMcNicol was born on 20 June 1913 in Adelaide.[1] He was educated at Carey Baptist Grammar School and King's College.[1] He graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the 1930s.[1]
During World War II, McNicol served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a pilot.[2]
Diplomatic career
editMcNicol joined the Commonwealth Public Service in the Department of External Affairs in 1946.[2]
McNicol was a member of an Australian delegation responsible for negotiating the Manila Treaty in September 1954.[3] In December 1954, McNicol's appointment as Minister to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia was announced.[4] In January 1955 the Australian Government announced McNicol's residence for the post would be at the new Australian Legation in Cambodia, to be opened in February that year.[5][6]
From 1957 to 1960 McNicol was High Commissioner to Singapore, at the time Lee Kuan Yew was moving the country towards independence.[1]
He was High Commissioner to Pakistan from 1962 to 1965[7] His Pakistan appointment was announced by then Minister for External Affairs Garfield Barwick in July 1962.[8]
In June 1968 then Minister for External Affairs Paul Hasluck announced McNicol's appointment as Ambassador to Thailand.[9] At the same time, he was also appointed Australia's council representative to Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO).[10]
In December 1972, then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam appointed McNicol Deputy High Commissioner in London.[11]
Awards
editIn the 1966 New Year Honours, McNicol was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) whilst High Commissioner in Wellington, New Zealand.[12][13]
Retirement and later life
editMcNicol retired on 20 June 1978.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Holdich, Roger; Nathan, Elizabeth (24 November 2001). "Diplomat party to momentous events". The Advertiser. Adelaide, SA.
- ^ a b "Diplomatic Post for Australian". The Newcastle Sun. NSW. 2 December 1954. p. 6.
- ^ "New post for diplomat". The Sydney Morning Herald. NSW. 2 December 1954. p. 3.
- ^ "Diplomat for Vietnam post". The Argus. Melbourne, Victoria. 2 December 1954. p. 1.
- ^ "Legation in Cambodia". The Central Queensland Herald. 27 January 1955. p. 11.
- ^ "New Minister appointed to Cambodia". The Canberra Times. ACT. 21 January 1955. p. 1.
- ^ "New Commissioner". The Canberra Times. ACT. 6 September 1962. p. 1.
- ^ "Move to Asia for diplomats". The Canberra Times. ACT. 17 July 1962. p. 2.
- ^ Hasluck, Paul (3 June 1968). "New Australian Ambassador to Thailand" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016.
- ^ "New envoy to Thailand". The Canberra Times. ACT. 4 June 1968. p. 3.
- ^ Whitlam, Gough (14 December 1972). "Appointment of Deputy High Commissioner, London" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016.
- ^ "Search Australian Honours: McNICOL, David Williamson, The Order of the British Empire - Commander (Civil)", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 1 February 2016
- ^ "No. 43855". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1965. p. 38.