John Cumpston


John Howard Lidgett Cumpston was a senior Australian public servant, and first Director-General of the Department of Health.

Life and career

John Cumpston was born in South Yarra, Melbourne on 19 June 1880, to parents Elizabeth Cumpston and George William Cumpston. He attended Wesley College for schooling, and went on to study at the University of Melbourne.
In 1921, he was appointed the first Director-General of the Australian Government's Department of Health. Cumpston retired in May 1945, ahead of his term expiring on 18 June that year.
In 1949, he accepted a position in Sri Lanka, advising on the introduction of a new health scheme for the country.
Cumpston died in Forrest, Canberra on 9 October 1954, and was cremated.

Awards

In March 1929, Cumpston was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for services as Director-General of Health and Quarantine.