John William Israel

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John William Israel ISO
Commonwealth Auditor-General
In office
1902–1926
Personal details
Born(1850-07-04)4 July 1850
Launceston, Van Diemen's Land
Died30 May 1926(1926-05-30) (aged 75)
Kew, Melbourne, Victoria
Resting placeBox Hill Cemetery
NationalityAustralia Australian
Spouse
Jane McDonald
(m. 1883⁠–⁠1926)
OccupationPublic servant

John William Israel ISO (4 July 1850 – 30 May 1926) was Commonwealth Auditor-General for the Australian Government between 1902 and 1926.

Life and career[edit]

Israel was born in Launceston, Tasmania on 4 July 1850 to parents Adelaide Maria and John Cashmore Israel.[1] He was schooled at the private academy of Abraham Barrett.[2]

In 1870, Israel joined the Tasmanian Railway Service and was there when the Service was transferred to the government, becoming Tasmanian Government Railways. Israel transferred to the Tasmanian Audit Office in 1882.[3]

Israel was appointed as Australia's first Commonwealth Auditor-General, leaving his appointment as State Auditor-General in Tasmania to take up the Australian Public Service position.[4]

As Commonwealth Auditor-General, Israel oversaw the opening of special branch offices in all of the capital cities of Australia, with headquarters in Melbourne. His staff performed continuous audits at the Post Office and at Customs and period audits in every branch of the public service, including the Commonwealth Bank and the Government's military organisations.[5]

Israel died of cancer at his residence in Kew, Melbourne on 30 May 1926.[1]

Awards[edit]

In 1916, Israel was awarded the distinction of the Imperial Service Order for his public service.[1][6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Chapman, R.J.K., "Israel, John William (1850–1926)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 25 November 2014
  2. ^ "Obituary: Mr. J. W. Israel". Examiner. Launceston, Tasmania. 31 May 1926. p. 5.
  3. ^ "Death of Mr. J. W. Israel". The Australasian. Melbourne, Victoria. 5 June 1926. p. 49.
  4. ^ CA 559: Auditor-General's Office, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 25 November 2014
  5. ^ "Mr. Israel's Career". Advocate. Burnie, Tasmania. 31 May 1926. p. 2.
  6. ^ CP 700: John William Israel ISO, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 25 November 2014
Government offices
New title
Position established
Commonwealth Auditor-General
1902 – 1926
Succeeded by