Michael John Wilson interviewed by Bruce Miller [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 2764812
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Wilson, Michael, 1928-, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research; written permission required for personal copies and public use during the lifetime of the interviewee.
- Description:
-
- 1993
- 4 sound tape reels ; 10 in.
- Summary:
-
Michael John Wilson, diplomat, talks about his family background; schooling; University of Sydney followed by Cambridge to study history and anthropology and coming to Canberra in 1952 to Dept. of Territories. He then discusses his decision to join Foreign Affairs and his successful application. Wilson then talks about his 1st posting to New York in 1955; Bangkok in 1959 and Australia House, London in 1963. He then describes his work as personal assistant to Arnold Smith, 1st Secretary-General of Commonwealth Secretariat and the reasons behind leaving Foreign Affairs and being seconded to Cabinet Office. Wilson then recounts his experiences working under Liberal and Labor governments; memories of Whitlam and his experiences as Secretary of Royal Commissions on Australian Government Administration in 1974. He then discusses his return to Foreign Affairs and his posting in 1980 as head of mission to Yugoslavia, Romania and Bulgaria and gives his views on Tito and dealing with Yugoslavia.
Wilson then talks about his posting to Papua New Guinea in 1984 as High Commissioner and describes the political siuation in some detail. He then talks about his posting to Vienna 1988-1993 and the work of International Atomic Energy Agency and Atomic Energy Commission in Australia (now ANSTO - Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation). Wilson then discusses the changes he has seen in the Dept. of Foreign Affairs since he joined; diplomatic staff and the nature and need for diplomacy.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded from Apr. 27-28, 1993 in Canberra.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Corrected transcript (typescript, 66 leaves)
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Diplomats
- Other authors/contributors:
- Miller, J. D. B. (John Donald Bruce), 1922-2011, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2063 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1993
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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