Peter Henderson (Australian public servant)
| Peter Henderson AC | |
|---|---|
| Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs | |
|
In office 4 September 1979 – 3 September 1984 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Peter Graham Faithfull Henderson 1 October 1928 |
| Died |
25 September 2016 (aged 87) Canberra |
| Nationality |
 Australian |
| Spouse(s) | Heather (née Menzies) |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford |
| Occupation | Public servant |
Peter Graham Faithfull Henderson AC (1 October 1928 – 25 September 2016) was an Australian senior public servant. He was Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs between 1979 and 1984. He was also well known for being the son-in-law of Robert Menzies.
Early life and marriage
Peter Henderson was born in October 1928.[1] In May 1955, Henderson married Heather Menzies, daughter of Robert Menzies, the Australian Prime Minister.[2][1][3] They had their first child, a daughter, in March 1956, in Jakarta.[4]
Career and later life
Henderson began his career in the Australian Public Service in the Department of External Affairs in 1951.[1]
He was appointed Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1979.[5] During his time at the department he introduced rules to prevent couples being posted together, which was interpreted by those it affected as a "pincer movement" against career equality for female diplomats.[6]
At the end of his public service career in September 1984, Henderson was offered the choice of a demotion or retirement—he chose to retire, and denounced the Australian Government for using the diplomatic service as a "depository... for people they want to get rid of in Canberra".[7]
Henderson died in Canberra on 25 September 2016.[8][9]
Awards
In January 1985, Henderson was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in recognition of distinguished public service.[10]
Notes
- 1 2 3 CP 948: Peter Graham Faithfull HENDERSON AC, KStJ, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 10 February 2014
- ↑ "Keen Interest in Wedding of Miss Heather Menzies". The Canberra Times. 30 May 1955. p. 2. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014.
- ↑ "Mr. Peter Henderson Home on Leave". 16 May 1955. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014.
- ↑ "Daughter For Mrs. Peter Henderson". The Canberra Times. 7 March 1956. p. 4. Archived from the original on 10 February 2014.
- ↑ CA 1382: Department of Foreign Affairs, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 28 December 2013
- ↑ Broinowski, Alison (7 December 2013). "Sexist baggage revealed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013.
- ↑ "Former FA head condemns 'dumping'". The Canberra Times. 31 January 1985. p. 1.
- ↑ "Tributes & Celebrations". Canberra Times. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- ↑ Towell, Noel (27 September 2016). "Canberra loses its scourge of public service 'yes men'". Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016.
- ↑ Search Australian Honours: HENDERSON, Peter Graham Faithful, Australian Government
References and further reading
- Henderson, Peter (1986), Privilege and Pleasure, Methuen Haynes, ISBN 0454012330
- Henderson, Peter (August 2008), "Chapter 2: Peter Henderson, AC: Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs 1979–84", in Wilson, Trevor; Cooke, Graham, Steady Hands Needed: Reflections on the role of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia 1979-1999 (PDF), pp. 13–25, ISBN 9781921536137, archived from the original (PDF) on 8 February 2014
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James Ingram |
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines 1973 – 1975 |
Succeeded by Gerry Nutter |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by Nick Parkinson |
Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs 1979 – 1984 |
Succeeded by Stuart Harris |