Harry Wollaston

Sir Harry Wollaston
Comptroller-General of the Department of Trade and Customs
In office
1901–1911
Personal details
BornHarry Newton Phillips Wollaston
(1846-01-17)17 January 1846
Died11 February 1921(1921-02-11) (aged 75)
Melbourne, Victoria
Resting placeBoroondara General Cemetery
OccupationPublic servant

Sir Harry Newton Phillips Wollaston KCMG ISO (17 January 1846 – 11 February 1921) was a senior Australian public servant. He was the first Comptroller-General of the Department of Trade and Customs, from 1901 to his retirement in 1911.

Life and career

Wollaston was born on 17 January 1846 in the locality of Mokine, near Clackline, Western Australia.[1] He was educated at St John's College, Auckland, Nelson College and the University of Melbourne.[2]

In 1863 he joined the Victorian Department of Trade and Customs as a tide surveyor and landing waiter.

In 1891, Wollaston was appointed Secretary of the Victorian Trade and Customs Department.[3] He was Chairman of the Committee which reported on the Federal Constitution Bill before it was adopted by the colonies and Australia was federated.[4]

Between 1901 and 1911, Wollaston was Comptroller-General of Customs.[5] The Department was one of the first seven Australian Government departments to be established in the Federation year, 1901.[6]

Wollaston died in Melbourne on 11 February 1921.[1]

Awards

Wollaston was appointed a Companion of the Imperial Service Order in May 1903.[7]

In 1907, having served as Comptroller-General of Customs for several years, he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.[8] He was promoted to a Knight Commander of the Order in June 1912.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 McDonald, D.I. (1990), "Wollaston, Sir Harry Newton Phillips (1846–1921)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 6 November 2013
  2. ↑ "Dr. Wollaston". The Week. Brisbane, Queensland. 18 February 1921. p. 13.
  3. ↑ "The Secretaryship of the Victorian Trade and Customs Department: Dr. Wollaston's appointment". The West Australian. 13 November 1891.
  4. ↑ "Dr. Sir Harry Wollaston, K.C.M.G., LL.D." Observer. Adelaide, South Australia. 19 February 1921. p. 34.
  5. ↑ CA 10: Department of Trade and Customs, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, archived from the original on 11 August 2016, retrieved 16 August 2015
  6. ↑ Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, History of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, archived from the original on 12 December 2013
  7. ↑ "Search Australian Honours, Name: WOLLASTON, Harry Newton Phillips, Award: Imperial Service Order", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 16 August 2015
  8. ↑ "Search Australian Honours, Name: WOLLASTON, Harry Newton Phillips, Award: The Order of St Michael and St George - Companion", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 16 August 2015
  9. ↑ "Search Australian Honours, Name: WOLLASTON, Harry Newton Phillips, Award: The Order of St Michael and St George- Knights Commander", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 26 October 2021