Murray Tyrrell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Murray Tyrrell
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Murray and Ellen Tyrrell on their wedding day, 6 May 1939
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| Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia | |
| In office 25 March 1947 – 30 January 1973 |
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| Monarch | George VI Elizabeth II |
| Governor-General | Sir William McKell (1947–53) Sir William Slim (1953–60) The Viscount Dunrossil (1960–61) The Viscount De L'Isle (1961–65) The Lord Casey (1965–69) Sir Paul Hasluck (1969–73) |
| Preceded by | Sir Leighton Bracegirdle |
| Succeeded by | Sir David Smith |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Murray Louis Tyrrell
1 December 1913 Kilmore, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 13 July 1994 (aged 80) Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Spouse |
Ellen St Clair Greig
(m. 1939) |
| Children | 3 |
Sir Murray Louis Tyrrell (born December 1, 1913 – died July 13, 1994) was a very important Australian public servant. He worked for the Australian government for over 45 years. He is best known for being the Official Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia for a record 26 years. This was from 1947 to 1973. During this time, he worked with six different Governors-General.
His Early Life
Murray Tyrrell was born in Kilmore, Victoria, on December 1, 1913. He was the third of five children. His father worked as a postmaster. Murray went to school in Orbost, Mordialloc, and Melbourne.
In 1939, he married Ellen St Clair Greig. They had three children together. Their two daughters were Leonie and Margot. Their son was named Michael.
Working for Australia
Sir Murray Tyrrell spent most of his career helping government ministers. He was an assistant or personal secretary to many important people. This included the Prime Minister of Australia, Ben Chifley.
In March 1947, Murray Tyrrell became the Official Secretary to the Governor-General. The Governor-General is the King or Queen's representative in Australia. Murray Tyrrell worked with six different Governors-General during his time. These included Sir William McKell and Sir Paul Hasluck.
Helping Conservation
Sir Murray Tyrrell also played a key role in starting the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF). This group works to protect Australia's nature. The idea came from Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He suggested that Australia should get involved in conservation.
Murray Tyrrell helped organize a meeting. Everyone agreed that Australia needed its own conservation group. This group would focus on protecting Australia's unique plants and animals. From this meeting, the ACF was created.
Special Awards
Murray Tyrrell received several special awards for his service.
- In 1954, he was named a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO). This was for his help during a visit by the Queen.
- In 1959, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
- In 1968, he was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO). This award was given directly by the Queen for his personal service to her.
After his long career, Sir Murray retired in 1973. He was later named Australian of the Year in 1977. He shared this honor with Dame Raigh Roe.
Sir Murray lived in an old cottage in Queanbeyan, New South Wales. It is still known as "Sir Murray Tyrrell's Cottage." He also served on the Queanbeyan City Council from 1976 to 1980.
Sir Murray Tyrrell passed away in Canberra on July 13, 1994. He was 80 years old.
