Peter Heydon
| Sir Peter Heydon CBE | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of the Department of Immigration | |
| In office 6 November 1961 – 15 May 1971 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Peter Richard Heydon 9 September 1913 Croydon, Sydney |
| Died | 15 May 1971 (aged 57) Canberra |
| Nationality |  Australian |
| Spouse(s) | Muriel Naomi Slater (m. 1942–1971; his death) |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
| Occupation | Public servant |
Sir Peter Richard Heydon CBE (9 September 1913 – 15 May 1971) was a senior Australian public servant and policymaker. Between 1961 and 1971 he was Secretary of the Department of Immigration.
Life and career
Peter Heydon was born in Croydon, Sydney on 9 September 1913.[1] He was educated at Fort Street Boys' High School.[1]
In 1936, Heydon joined the Commonwealth Public Service in the Department of External Affairs.[1]
In 1942, Heydon married Muriel Naomi Slater, a Canadian who had been his personal assistant during his appointment to the staff of R. G. (Baron) Casey) in Washington.[1] In a eulogy to Heydon in 1971 after his death, Finlay Crisp described the couple's relationship as having "a tempo, a temper and a tone."[2]
Between 1961 and 1971, he was Secretary of the Department of Immigration.[3]
His untimely death of a myocardial infarction was during his term in office at the Department of Immigration, on 15 May 1971.[1] He was remembered by the Prime Minister William McMahon as one of the best-liked and respected public servants in Canberra.[4] He was survived by his wife, Lady Heydon, and three children.[5]
Awards
Heydon was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1959, for service as High Commissioner to India.[6] He was made a Knight Bachelor in June 1970, for his service as Secretary of the Department of Immigration.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Nethercote, J.R. (1996), "Heydon, Sir Peter Richard (1913–1971)", Australian Dictionary of Biography (Australian National University), archived from the original on 1 March 2014
- ↑ "Obituary- Naomi Heydon: Gracious lady, sportswoman and linguist". The Canberra Times. 31 December 1995. p. 2.
- ↑ CA 51: Department of Immigration, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 6 July 2014
- ↑ McMahon, William (16 May 1971). "Death of Sir Peter Heydon - Tribute by the Prime Minister" (Press release). Archived from the original on 5 July 2014.
- ↑ "Obituary: Naomi Heydon". The Canberra Times. 31 December 1995. p. 2.
- ↑ "Search Australian Honours: HEYDON, Peter Richard", itsanhonour.gov.au (Australian Government), archived from the original on 6 July 2014
- ↑ "Search Australian Honours: HEYDON, Peter Richard", itsanhonour.gov.au (Australian Government), archived from the original on 6 July 2014
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tasman Heyes |
Secretary of the Department of Immigration 1961 – 1971 |
Succeeded by Bob Armstrong |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by Torrence Doig as Chargé d'affaires |
Australian Minister to Brazil 1951 – 1953 |
Succeeded by John Ryan as Chargé d'affaires |
| Preceded by Roden Cutler |
Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand 1953 – 1955 |
Succeeded by John Augustine Collins |
| Preceded by Walter Crocker |
Australian High Commissioner to India 1955 – 1958 |
Succeeded by Walter Crocker |