Sir Wilfred Alan Westerman (25 March 1913 – 18 May 2001) was a senior Australian public servant and policymaker.

Life and career

Alan Westerman was born in New Zealand on 25 March 1913. He was educated at

Knox Grammar School Knox Grammar School is an independent Uniting Church day and boarding school for boys, located in Wahroonga, New South Wales, an Upper North Shore suburb of Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1924 by the Presbyterian Church of Australia as an all- ...

, the

University of Tasmania The University of Tasmania (UTAS) is a public research university, primarily located in Tasmania, Australia. Founded in 1890, it is Australia's fourth oldest university. Christ College (University of Tasmania), Christ College, one of the unive ...

, the

University of Melbourne The University of Melbourne (colloquially known as Melbourne University) is a public university, public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in the state ...

and

Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...

. After World War II, Westerman joined the Australian Trade Commissioner Service, staying in the organisation between 1946 and 1949. He was appointed

Secretary A secretary, administrative assistant, executive assistant, personal secretary, or other similar titles is an individual whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, program evalu ...

of the

Department of Trade Department may refer to: * Departmentalization, division of a larger organization into parts with specific responsibility Government and military *Department (administrative division), a geographical and administrative division within a country, ...

in September 1960, becoming Secretary of the

Department of Trade and Industry Department of Trade and Industry may refer to: Current * Department of Trade and Industry (Isle of Man) * Department of Trade and Industry (Philippines) * Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (South Africa) Former * Department of Trade ...

when the new department was established in 1963. His contribution to trade policy occurred at a significant time in Australia's international trading history, as the nation was seeking markets for its ever-increasing industrial products. Westerman retired from his Secretary role when he was appointed executive chairman of the

Australian Industry Development Corporation The Australian Industry Development Corporation (AIDC) was an investment company and state-owned enterprise fully owned by the Australian Government for most of its existence. It was established by the Gorton government in 1971 as a pet project of ...

beginning February 1971.

Awards and honours

Westerman was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1962. In 1963, he was made a Knight Bachelor. In 2009, a street in the

Canberra Canberra ( ; ) is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the Federation of Australia, federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's list of cities in Australia, largest in ...

suburb of Casey was named Westerman Street in Alan Westerman's honour.

References

1913 births 2001 deaths Australian Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Australian Knights Bachelor {{Australia-gov-bio-stub 20th-century Australian public servants People educated at Knox Grammar School