George Watt (public servant)

George Percival Norman Watt CBE CMG (2 June 1890 – 21 July 1983) was a senior Australian public servant and company director. He was Secretary of the Department of the Treasury between November 1948 and March 1951.

George Watt
Secretary of the Department of the Treasury
In office
23 November 1948 – 31 March 1951
Personal details
Born
George Percival Norman Watt

(1890-06-02)2 June 1890
Hawthorn, Melbourne
Died21 July 1983(1983-07-21) (aged 93)
NationalityAustralia Australian
Spouse(s)Nellie Victoria May Hough
(m. 1916–1963)
OccupationPublic servant

Life and career

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George Watt was born in Hawthorn, Melbourne on 2 June 1890.[1] He was schooled at Auburn State School and Wesley College.[1]

He joined the Australian Public Service in the Department of Defence in 1908.[1] During World War II, he was transferred on a temporary basis to the Department of the Treasury, serving as the head of the defence division in Melbourne.[1] He became the Secretary of the Treasury in November 1948, after having acted in the role since February 1948.[2][3][4]

In March 1951 Watt retired from his Secretary role to become chairman of the National Airlines Commission.[5]

Watt died on 21 July 1983, aged 93.[1]

Awards

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Watt was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in June 1951.[6] He was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in June 1957 for services to civil aviation in Australia.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Nethercote, J.R. "Watt, George Percival Norman (1890–1983)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013.
  2. ^ "New Treasury Secretary". Daily Advertiser. 11 February 1948. p. 1.
  3. ^ "Mr. Watt appointed to Treasury". The Canberra Times. 11 February 1948. p. 1.
  4. ^ "Dr. Coombes to be Governor: Commonwealth Bank Appointment". The Northern Miner. 23 November 1948. p. 2.
  5. ^ "Treasury chief for Airlines". The Argus. 17 March 1951. p. 3.
  6. ^ "Search Australian Honours: WATT, George Percival Norman", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 1 May 2014
  7. ^ "Search Australian Honours: WATT, George Percival Norman", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 1 May 2014
Government offices
Preceded by Secretary of the Department of the Treasury
1948 – 1951
Succeeded by