Arthur Metcalfe (public servant)

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
Died	24 March 1971(1971-03-24) (aged 75) Harbord, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Alma mater	University of Sydney
Occupation	Public 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]