Arthur Metcalfe (public servant)

Dr
Arthur Metcalfe
CBE
Director-General of the Department of Health
In office
20 October 1947  1 September 1960
Personal details
Born Arthur John Metcalfe
(1895-06-26)26 June 1895
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Died 24 March 1971(1971-03-24) (aged 75)
Harbord, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality Australia Australian
Alma mater University of Sydney
Occupation Public servant

Dr Arthur John Metcalfe CBE (26 June 1895  24 March 1971) was a senior Australian public servant, best known for his time as Director-General of the Department of Health.

Life and career

Metcalfe was born in Newcastle on 26 June 1895 to English-born parents.[1]

In October 1947, Metcalfe was appointed Commonwealth Director-General of Health,[2] having been Acting-Director-General for more than a year prior after the illness and death of former Director-General Frank McCallum.[3] He led the Department implementing the National Health Act 1953, which consolidated the hospital, pharmaceutical and medical benefits schemes operated by the Australian Government.[1]

He retired from the position in 1960.[4] In 1961 he took on an appointment as consultant to Lederie Laboratories Products.[5]

Metcalfe died on 24 March 1971 in Sydney, aged 76.[6]

Awards

In 1947, Metcalfe was awarded a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship and spent four months studying national health schemes in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Europe.[5]

Metcalfe was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1954 for services as Director-General of health and quarantine.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 Refshauge, W.D, "Metcalfe, Arthur John (1895–1971)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 3 April 2015
  2. CA 17: Department of Health, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 3 April 2015
  3. "Director-General of Health. Dr. Metcalfe appointed". The West Australian. 21 October 1947. p. 7.
  4. "Dr. Metcalfe retires to-day from top health position". The Canberra Times. 1 September 1960. p. 3.
  5. 1 2 "New post for Dr. Metcalfe". The Canberra Times. 1 April 1961. p. 2.
  6. "Medical man dies, 76". The Canberra Times. 27 March 1971. p. 7.
  7. "Search Australian Honours: METCALFE, Arthur John, The Order of the British Empire - Commander (Civil)", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 3 April 2015
Government offices
Preceded by
Frank McCallum
Director-General of the Department of Health
1947 – 1960
Succeeded by
William Refshauge
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