Arthur Metcalfe (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.

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
Died24 March 1971(1971-03-24) (aged 75)
Harbord, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality Australian
Alma materUniversity of Sydney
OccupationPublic servant

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. 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. "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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