Bruce Hamilton (public servant)

Australian public servant (1911–1989)

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
Died| 12 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
Occupation| Public servant

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

## Life and career[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

1. ^ a b c Crichton, Pam, "Hamilton, Leslie Bruce (1911–1989)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 23 April 2014
2. ^ a b c "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

Government offices

Preceded by

Herbert Goodes

|  Secretary of the Department of Social Services
1966 – 1972  | Succeeded by

Himself

as Secretary of the Department of Social Security
Preceded by

Himself

as Secretary of the Department of Social Services |  Secretary of the Department of Social Security
1972 – 1973  | Succeeded by

Louis Wienholt

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