Arthur Corbett (public servant)


Arthur Brownlow Corbett was a senior Australian public servant. He was Director-General of the Department of Civil Aviation from April 1939 until February 1944.

Life and career

Corbett was born to parents Susan Ellen and George Frederick Corbett on 18 February 1877 at New Shoreham, Sussex, England. He and his family migrated to Queensland, Australia in 1890.
As an electrical and mechanical engineer, Corbett held several roles in the Postmaster-General's Department, including to reorganise the Brisbane mail services in 1924, and as superintendent of mails in Sydney in 1927.
On 3 April 1939, Corbett began his term as Director-General of the Department of Civil Aviation, moving to Melbourne to take up the role but planning to return to Queensland on his retirement.
In February 1944, a new Director-General was appointed for the Department of Civil Aviation, with Mr Corbett continuing as Acting Director-General until August 1944.
Corbett died on 20 March 1970 at Kangaroo Point, Queensland and was buried at Toowong Cemetery.

Awards

In January 1938, Corbett was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his service as Deputy Director in the Queensland branch of the Postmaster-General's Department.