Robert William Furlonger CB (28 April 1921 – 19 January 2019)[2] was an Australian public servant and diplomat. He was an Australian Ambassador to Indonesia (1972–1975), Australian Ambassador to Austria and Hungary (1975–1977) and the first Director-General of the Office of National Assessments (1977–1981).

Bob Furlonger
Born
Robert William Furlonger

(1921-04-28)28 April 1921[1]
Died19 January 2019(2019-01-19) (aged 97)
Canberra, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Occupation(s)Public servant, diplomat

Career

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Furlonger joined the Commonwealth Public Service in the Department of External Affairs in 1945 as a cadet. His cadetship was for two-years and included him being given a project researching the Free France movement.[3]

In December 1961 Furlonger was appointed the Australian Consul-General at Geneva and the Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Office in Geneva.[4]

From 1972 to 1975 Furlonger was Australian Ambassador to Indonesia. During his post to Indonesia, he hosted the Prime Minister of Australia, William McMahon in Jakarta, Indonesia. .[5]

Between 1975 and 1977 Furlonger was Ambassador to Austria.[6][7] He was the first Director-General of the Office of National Assessments, from 1977 to 1981.

Furlonger retired in 1981.[8]

Awards

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Furlonger was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1981 Birthday Honours for his public service including as Director-General of the Office of National Assessments.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "World War Two Veteran: Furlonger, Robert William", Honouring Veterans, Australia Remembers Ltd, archived from the original on 6 March 2016
  2. ^ "Robert Furlonger". Canberra Times. 23 January 2019.
  3. ^ Conley Tyler, Melissa; Robbins, John; March, Adrian, eds. (2012). R.G. Casey: Minister for External Affairs 1951-60. ACT: The Australian Institute of International Affairs. p. 146. ISBN 978-0-909992-95-8.
  4. ^ "Appointment to Geneva". The Canberra Times. ACT. 15 December 1961. p. 2.
  5. ^ Conley Tyler, Melissa; Robbins, John; March, Adrian, eds. (2014). Ministers for Foreign Affairs 1960-1972. ACT: The Australian Institute of International Affairs. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-909992-98-9.
  6. ^ Rees, Jacqueline (12 October 1974). "Two senior envoy appointments". The Canberra Times. ACT. p. 2.
  7. ^ Juddery, Bruce (17 December 1975). "The question is not if but when will Mr Renouf go". The Canberra Times. ACT. p. 2.
  8. ^ "New head of ONA named". The Canberra Times. 16 January 1981. p. 1.
  9. ^ "Search Australian Honours: FURLONGER, Robert William, The Order of the Bath - Companion (Civil)", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 6 March 2016
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Lawrence Arnott
Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Office in Geneva
Australian Consul-General at Geneva

1961–1964
Succeeded by
Brian Hill
Preceded by Australian Ambassador to Indonesia
1972–1975
Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian Ambassador to Austria
Australian Ambassador to Hungary

1975–1977
Succeeded by
Government offices
New title
Office established
Director-General of the Office of National Assessments
1977–1981
Succeeded by
Michael Cook