Allan Eastman (diplomat) explained

Allan Eastman
Birth Name:Allan James Eastman
Birth Date:21 January 1912
Death Place:Drummoyne, New South Wales
Occupation:Public servant, diplomat
Children:David Eastman[1]
Nationality:Australian

Allan James Eastman (21 January 19122 November 1987) was an Australian public servant and diplomat.

Life and career

In 1938 Eastman became a captain in the army legal department. He was seconded to the 1st AIF in 1941. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in January 1943.[2]

Eastman joined the Commonwealth Public Service in the Department of External Affairs in 1946.[3] His first appointment was as Australian Consul to Siam.[4]

Eastman was appointed the Australian High Commissioner to Ceylon (later Sri Lanka) in 1956.[5]

In 1962, Eastman was appointed Senior External Affairs representative in London.[3] From London, Eastman went to Malaysia to take up an appointment as the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia from 1965 to 1969.[6] [7] During his posting, Malaysia signed up to the ASEAN Declaration and Australia pledged to provide defence support for the Malaysia-Singapore area.[8]

Returning to Canberra, Eastman was appointed the head of the Department of Foreign Affairs defence division. His posting to Brussels as Ambassador to Belgium was announced in November 1971.[9]

Whilst Australian Ambassador to Mexico (1975–1977), Eastman oversaw an office of nine staff, including Penelope Wensley who was threatened with kidnapping during her posting.[10]

Eastman retired from public service in 1977.[11] He died on 2 November 1987.[12]

Awards

Eastman was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1961 for distinguished public service, while serving as the Australian external affairs representative at the London High Commission.[13] He was promoted to Commander of the Order (CBE) in 1965.[14]

Notes and References

  1. News: Who is David Eastman?. The Canberra Times. 2. 4 November 1995.
  2. News: First Consult to Siam Appointed. 7 July 1946. 6. Sunday Mail. Brisbane, QLD.
  3. News: Ex-Minister N.Z. High Commissioner. 25 August 1962. The Canberra Times. 2.
  4. News: Personal. 8 July 1946. Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. 3.
  5. News: Mr. Eastman Appointed to Colombo. 11 February 1956. 2. The Canberra Times.
  6. News: New posting for envoys. 1 November 1965. 3. The Canberra Times.
  7. News: Envoy to Malaysia named. 15 March 1969. 3. The Canberra Times.
  8. News: Envoy voices Malaysia's fears. 27 January 1969. 3. The Canberra Times.
  9. News: Our man in Moscow returns. Bruce. Juddery. Bruce Juddery. The Canberra Times. 7. 26 November 1971.
  10. News: Diplomats' fears 'very real' in Mexico. 21 June 1976. 3. Rohan. Rivett. The Canberra Times.
  11. News: Diplomatic appointments. 15 December 1976. 11. The Canberra Times.
  12. News: Family notices: Deaths. The Canberra Times. ACT. 3 November 1987. 18.
  13. News: Canberra People in Honours List. 10 June 1961. The Canberra Times. 5.
  14. https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1064517 It's an Honour: CBE