Peter Graham Faithfull Henderson, AC (1 October 1928 – 25 September 2016) was an Australian senior public servant. He was Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs between 1979 and 1984. He was also well known for being the son-in-law of Robert Menzies.
Peter Henderson | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 4 September 1979 – 3 September 1984 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Peter Graham Faithfull Henderson 1 October 1928 |
| Died | 25 September 2016 (aged 87) Canberra |
| Nationality |  Australian |
| Spouse | Heather (née Menzies) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford |
| Occupation | Public servant |
Early life and marriage
editHenderson was born in October 1928.[1] He was educated at Geelong Grammar School, Victoria, and Merton College, Oxford (1947-1950).[2] In May 1955, Henderson married Heather Menzies, daughter of Robert Menzies, the Australian Prime Minister.[3][1][4] They had their first child, a daughter, in March 1956, in Jakarta.[5]
Career and later life
editHenderson began his career in the Australian Public Service in the Department of External Affairs in 1951.[1]
He was appointed Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1979.[6] During his time at the department he introduced rules to prevent couples being posted together, which was interpreted by those it affected as a "pincer movement" against career equality for female diplomats.[7]
At the end of his public service career in September 1984, Henderson was offered the choice of a demotion or retirement—he chose to retire, and denounced the Australian Government for using the diplomatic service as a "depository... for people they want to get rid of in Canberra".[8]
Awards
editIn January 1985, Henderson was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in recognition of distinguished public service.[11]
Notes
edit- ^ a b c CP 948: Peter Graham Faithfull HENDERSON AC, KStJ, National Archives of Australia, archived from the original on 13 March 2020, retrieved 10 February 2014
- ^ Levens, R.G.C., ed. (1964). Merton College Register 1900–1964. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p. 377.
- ^ "Keen Interest in Wedding of Miss Heather Menzies". The Canberra Times. 30 May 1955. p. 2. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014.
- ^ "Mr. Peter Henderson Home on Leave". 16 May 1955. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014.
- ^ "Daughter For Mrs. Peter Henderson". The Canberra Times. 7 March 1956. p. 4. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014.
- ^ CA 1382: Department of Foreign Affairs, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 28 December 2013
- ^ Broinowski, Alison (7 December 2013). "Sexist baggage revealed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013.
- ^ "Former FA head condemns 'dumping'". The Canberra Times. 31 January 1985. p. 1.
- ^ "Tributes & Celebrations". Canberra Times. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ^ Towell, Noel (27 September 2016). "Canberra loses its scourge of public service 'yes men'". Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016.
- ^ Search Australian Honours: HENDERSON, Peter Graham Faithful, Australian Government
References and further reading
edit- Henderson, Peter (1986), Privilege and Pleasure, Methuen Haynes, ISBN 0454012330
- Henderson, Peter (August 2008), "Chapter 2: Peter Henderson, AC: Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs 1979–84", in Wilson, Trevor; Cooke, Graham (eds.), Steady Hands Needed: Reflections on the role of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia 1979–1999 (PDF), pp. 13–25, ISBN 9781921536137, archived from the original (PDF) on 8 February 2014