Paul Meernaa Caedwalla Hasluck KG GCMG (1905 - 1993)

Born 1 Apr 1905 in Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Alexandra Margaret Martin (Darker) Hasluck AD DStJ — married 14 Apr 1932 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Died 9 Jan 1993 at age 87 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia

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Preceded by Lord Richard Gavin Gardiner Casey

17th Governor-General of Australia 7 May 1965 - 30 Apr 1969

Succeeded by Sir John Kerr AK GCMG GCVO QC

Biography

Paul Hasluck KG GCMG is Notable.

Paul Meernaa Caedwalla Hasluck was born on 1st April 1905 at Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia. He was the second son of English emigrants, E'thel Hasluck and Patience Wooler, both of whom were Salvation Army officers.^[1] He attended Perth Modern School and the University of Western Australia. After graduation he joined the university as a faculty member.

He married Alexandra "Alix" Darker on 14th April 1932 in St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Perth, Western Australia.^[2]

Hasluck joined the Department of External Affairs during the Second World War, and served as Australia's first permanent representative to the United Nations from 1946 to 1947. He would later contribute two volumes to Australia in the War of 1939–1945, the official history of Australia's involvement in the war. Hasluck's older brother, Lewis, died at Borneo in 1944 whilst a prisoner of war of the Japanese.

Elected to federal parliament for the Liberal Party, winning the new Division of Curtin in 1949, Hasluck was appointed Minister for Territories from 1952 to 1964 during which time he initiated transitions toward self-government in Australia's territories, including Nauru, Papua New Guinea, and the Northern Territory. As Minister for Defence (1963–64) and Minister for External Affairs (1964–69) his tenure covered Australia's involvement in the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and most of the Vietnam War. In February 1969, Hasluck was created Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG).^[3]

Defeated by John Gorton for the party leadership and prime ministership after Menzies' retirement, Gorton nominated Hasluck for Governor General. In his five years in the position, Hasluck saw two previous political adversaries (William McMahon and Gough Whitlam) become prime minister; he maintained good working relationships with both. In May 1970 he was created Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).^[4]

In retirement, Hasluck was a prolific author, publishing an autobiography, several volumes of poetry, and multiple works on Australian history. He was created Knight of the Garter (KG) in April 1979.^[5] He passed away of prostate cancer, aged 87 years, on 9th January 1993 at Perth. He was survived by his ailing wife, confined to hospital, and their only surviving son, Nicholas.

Sources

• Visit: Western Australia Divisions - Profile Tree

KB00179929 He was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery Karrakatta Historical Walk 16.

1. ↑ Western Australia Birth Index #2643/1905
2. ↑ Western Australia Marriage Index #510/1932
3. ↑ Australian Honours: GCMG; accessed 27 Mar 2019
4. ↑ Australian Honours: GCVO; accessed 27 Mar 2019
5. ↑ Australian Honours: KG; accessed 27 Mar 2019

See also

• Allbrook, Malcolm. 'Hasluck, Sir Paul Meernaa (1905–1993)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University,
  published online 2017; accessed online 2 Sep 2017.
• Wikipedia profile: Paul Hasluck; accessed 27 Mar 2019.