George Watt (public servant) explained

George Watt
Office1:Secretary of the Department of the Treasury
Term Start1:23 November 1948
Term End1:31 March 1951
Birth Name:George Percival Norman Watt
Birth Date:2 June 1890
Birth Place:Hawthorn, Melbourne
Occupation:Public servant
Nationality: Australian
Spouse:Nellie Victoria May Hough
(m. 1916–1963)

George Percival Norman Watt (2 June 189021 July 1983) was a senior Australian public servant and company director. He was Secretary of the Department of the Treasury between November 1948 and March 1951.

Life and career

George Watt was born in Hawthorn, Melbourne on 2 June 1890.[1] He was schooled at Auburn State School and Wesley College.[1]

He joined the Australian Public Service in the Department of Defence in 1908.[1] During World War II, he was transferred on a temporary basis to the Department of the Treasury, serving as the head of the defence division in Melbourne.[1] He became the Secretary of the Treasury in November 1948, after having acted in the role since February 1948.[2] [3] [4]

In March 1951 Watt retired from his Secretary role to become chairman of the National Airlines Commission.[5]

Watt died on 21 July 1983, aged 93.[1]

Awards

Watt was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in June 1951. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in June 1957 for services to civil aviation in Australia.

Notes and References

  1. Watt, George Percival Norman (1890–1983). https://web.archive.org/web/20130514140734/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/watt-george-percival-norman-15845. live. 14 May 2013. J.R.. Nethercote. Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University.
  2. News: New Treasury Secretary. Daily Advertiser. 11 February 1948. 1.
  3. News: Mr. Watt appointed to Treasury. 11 February 1948. 1. The Canberra Times.
  4. News: Dr. Coombes to be Governor: Commonwealth Bank Appointment. 23 November 1948. 2. The Northern Miner.
  5. News: The Argus. 17 March 1951. 3. Treasury chief for Airlines.