Alan John Woods (30 March 1930 – 13 January 1990) was a senior Australian public servant.

Life and career

Woods was born in Woonona, New South Wales on 30 March 1930 to parents Oswald and Gladys May Woods. After attending

St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill St Joseph's College (abbreviated as SJC and commonly called ''Joeys'') is an independent Catholic secondary day and boarding school for boys, conducted in the Marist Brothers tradition, located in Hunters Hill, a suburb on the Lower North Sh ...

on a scholarship, he obtained a Bachelor of Economics from the

University of Sydney The University of Sydney (USYD) is a public university, public research university in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in both Australia and Oceania. One of Australia's six sandstone universities, it was one of the ...

in 1955 while working as an executive trainee for Dunlop Rubber Australia Ltd. Woods began his Commonwealth Public Sector career at the Commonwealth Public Service Board in Sydney in 1955. He moved to Canberra in 1957, taking a research officer post in the Department of Territories. In December 1977, Woods 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 National Development (later abolished and replaced by the

Department of National Development and Energy The Department of National Development and Energy was an Australian government department that existed between December 1979 and March 1983. It replaced the Department of National Development and inherited domestic resources and energ ...

, and then the

Department of Resources and Energy The Department of Resources and Energy was an Australian government department that existed between March 1983 and July 1987. History The Department was one of three new Departments established by the Hawke government in March 19 ...

). Woods was appointed Secretary of the Department of Defence in 1986, but was replaced in a reshuffle of department heads in mid-1988.

Awards and recognition

Woods was made an

Officer of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honours and awards system, Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarch ...

in the 1985 Australia Day Honours for "public service, particularly as Secretary to the Department of Resources and Energy". In the

1989 Australia Day Honours The 1989 Australia Day Honours are appointments to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by Australian citizens. The list was announced on 26 January 1989 by the Governor General of Australia, Sir Ninian Stephen. The Aust ...

he was promoted to

Companion of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honours and awards system, Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarch ...

"for public service, particularly as Secretary to the Department of Defence".

Death

Woods became ill with cancer in the later part of 1989. He died of the disease on 13 January 1990 in

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 ...

Notes

References and further reading

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Woods, Alan John 1930 births 1990 deaths Deaths from cancer in the Australian Capital Territory Companions of the Order of Australia Secretaries of the Australian Department of Defence People educated at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill University of Sydney alumni