Sir Harry Wollaston
KCMG ISO
Comptroller-General of the Department of Trade and Customs
In office
1901–1911
Personal details
Born
Harry Newton Phillips Wollaston

(1846-01-17)17 January 1846
Western Australia
Died11 February 1921(1921-02-11) (aged 75)
Victoria
Resting placeBoroondara General Cemetery
NationalityAustralia Australian
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 Mokine, 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. ^ a b 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, 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
Government offices New titleDepartment established at Federation Comptroller-General of the Department of Trade and Customs 1901 – 1911 Succeeded byNicholas Lockyer
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