George Mallaby (public servant)

George Mallaby (1902-1975) was a prominent Australian public servant. He held several significant positions within the Australian government, making notable contributions to post-World War II reconstruction and development, particularly in the fields of finance and administration.

Mallaby began his career with the Commonwealth Public Service in 1924. He rose through the ranks, displaying exceptional skill and dedication. His early work involved financial administration.

Following World War II, Mallaby played a key role in the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme, which aimed to retrain and reintegrate returning servicemen into the workforce. This involved managing complex administrative challenges and ensuring the effective allocation of resources.

He later served as the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, a position he held from 1949 to 1957. During his tenure, he oversaw significant expansion and modernisation of Australia's postal and telecommunications infrastructure. He focused on improving efficiency and adapting to technological advancements in these sectors.

Mallaby was subsequently appointed Secretary of the Department of National Development in 1957, a role he held until his retirement in 1968. In this position, he was responsible for the planning and coordination of major national development projects, including resource exploration, water management, and infrastructure development. He played a significant role in shaping Australia's economic growth during this period.

His contributions were recognized with a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire). George Mallaby is remembered as a dedicated and effective public servant who made a lasting impact on Australia's post-war development.