Bruce Hamilton (public servant)

Leslie Bruce Hamilton CBE (4 July 1911 – 12 June 1989) was a senior Australian public servant and head of the Department of Social Services (later Social Security) between 1966 and 1973.

Bruce Hamilton
CBE
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

(1911-07-04)4 July 1911
Nook, Tasmania
Died12 June 1989(1989-06-12) (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
OccupationPublic servant

Life and career

Bruce 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

Hamilton 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
  1. Crichton, Pam, "Hamilton, Leslie Bruce (1911–1989)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 23 April 2014
  2. "Obituary: Bruce Hamilton Menzies' 'two-star general'". The Canberra Times. 12 July 1989. p. 23.
  3. CA 32: Department of Social Services, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 23 April 2014
  4. CA 1482: Department of Social Security, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, archived from the original on 13 July 2020, retrieved 23 April 2014
  5. "PS officer to retire". The Canberra Times. 9 January 1973. p. 3.
  6. "Search Australian Honours: HAMILTON, Leslie Bruce", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 23 April 2014
  7. "Search Australian Honours: HAMILTON, Leslie Bruce", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 23 April 2014


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