Donald Cleland

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Sir Donald Cleland
Administrator of Papua and New Guinea
In office
1952–1966
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterSir Robert Menzies (1952–66)
Harold Holt (1966)
Preceded byJack Murray
Succeeded byDavid Hay
Personal details
Born(1901-06-28)28 June 1901
Mentioned in Despatches
(2)

CBE
(28 June 1901 – 27 August 1975) was an Australian soldier and administrator.

Early years

Born on 28 June 1901 at

Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1981.[1]

Political candidacy

Cleland stood for the

Nationalist Party. His chief opponent on both occasions was Charles North, the sitting Nationalist member since 1924 and a future Speaker. The margin between Cleland and North was 378 votes in 1933 and 79 votes in 1936 – Cleland polled 49.05% of the vote on the latter occasion.[2]

Military career

For his work as deputy assistant quartermaster general,

Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1945.[1]

Administrative career in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea

Cleland became administrator, succeeding Jack Keith Murray and chaired the Legislative Council of the Territory of Papua and New Guinea (which became Papua New Guinea) from 1953 until 1964[3] and directed the introduction of the first House of Assembly elected by full adult franchise; he restructured the public service so that it would be dominated by Papua New Guineans, paid at a rate the country could afford; and he continued the elimination of discriminatory legislation, most obviously ending the liquor ban in 1962.[1] He was knighted in 1961 and retired in 1967.[1]

Retirement

In retirement Cleland lived in Port Moresby, the only administrator of either territory to choose to stay there. He was pro-chancellor and chancellor (from 1971) of the University of Papua New Guinea, and chancellor (from 1967) of the Anglican diocese of Papua New Guinea. Sir Donald died on 27 August 1975 in Port Moresby.[4] Accorded a state funeral,[4] he was buried in the cemetery at Bomana. He was survived by his wife, Lady Rachel (née Evans), and their two sons.[1] Rachel continued living in their house on Lawes Road in Port Moresby.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h H. N. Nelson, 'Cleland, Sir Donald Mackinnon (1901–1975)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 13, Melbourne University Press, 1993, pp 440–441.
  2. ISBN 0-7309-8409-5
    .
  3. ^ "Leading Papua New Guinea towards independence A task discharged with distinction and honour". Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). 29 November 1981. p. 2. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b Sir Donald Cleland Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1975, pp93–94

External links

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