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Thomas J. Hawkins interviewed by Mel Pratt for the Mel Pratt collection [sound recording]
Bib ID 734616
Format AudioAudio, OnlineOnline
Author
Hawkins, Thomas Joseph, 1898-
 
Online Versions
Access Conditions Access open for research, personal copies and public use. 
Description 1974 Oct. 22-23. 
2 tape reels : 1 7/8 ips. mono.; 5 in. 
Series

Mel Pratt collection.

Summary

Mr Hawkins, Secretary, Department of the Navy, talks of his early life in Victoria; his early experiences in the Navy; security measures in World War I; relations between naval and civilian staff; relations between the Press and the Dept of the Navy; (N) Branch; overseas messages during Munich crisis; his appointment as a civilian in charge of naval personnel; women staffing the signals office; preparing for war; problems of expansion; confidential and secret books on ships; loss of the "Sydney"; Commonwealth and naval war books; white ensign; outbreak of war; George Gill; Billy Hughes; liaison between Australia and allies; Commander Grant; transfer of mail to ships; co-ordination with British Pacific fleet; Macandie; Nankervis; appointment as Secretary; Ministers with whom he was associated; Gorton; defence computer; Ministers relationship with Naval Board; relationship between Defence and three service departments; Frederick Sheddon; Shepherd; Chilton; Hicks; Cresswell; Hyde; John Collins; Roy Dowling; Henry Burrell; Harrington; Navy's relations with the Admiralty; pay differences between RN and RAN; building ships; cost of ships; ship repair; loan of submarines; relations of Navy with other Departments; Treasury ; Public Service Board; Manus Island; visits to dockyards, etc; his achievements.

Biography/History

Thomas Hawkins retired in 1963 after forty nine years service in the Commonwealth Public Service, an unusual feature being that all his service was with the Navy. He ultimately became Secretary, Department of the Navy.

Notes

Recorded at his home in Melbourne.

Also available online via the Internet at: http:/­/­nla.gov.au/­nla.oh-vn734616

Index/Finding Aid Note Timed summary (12 p.) and transcript (125 p.) 
Subjects Hawkins, Thomas Joseph, - 1898- - Interviews.  |  Australia. - Royal Australian Navy.  |  Public officers - Australia - Interviews
Other authors/contributors Pratt, Mel

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Details Collect From
ORAL TRC 121/56
Copy: Recording
Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
ORAL TRC 121/56 (transcript)
Copy: Transcript
Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
ORAL TRC 121/56 (summary)
Copy: Summary
Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)

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