1. George Steward held several notable positions during his career, including Official Secretary to five Governors-General, being the first to hold that title, and Chief Commissioner of the Victoria Police from 1919 until his death in 1920.
11 Facts About George Steward
1. 2.
George Steward was a member of the civil service of the colony of Tasmania, in which he advanced rapidly.
3.
George Steward was an officer in the Tasmanian Auxiliary Forces, and later the Australian Citizen Military Forces.
4.
George Steward raised the first Mounted Infantry Corps of Tasmania.
5.
George Steward was originally expected to become the Secretary of the Department of External Affairs.
6.
In December 1902, George Steward was appointed as the Official Secretary to the Governor General, Lord Tennyson.
7.
George Steward was the first person to serve in this position which he held for seventeen years, under five Governors General.
8.
In 1916, as part of his role in the Governor General's office, George Steward founded the Australian branch of the Imperial Counter Espionage Bureau, later known as the Special Intelligence Bureau.
9.
George Steward was appointed as Chief Commissioner of the Victoria Police in 1919, which attracted some controversy because he was not a police officer himself.
10.
George Steward served as Chief Commissioner until his death on 11 May 1920, after suffering a heart attack while driving.
11.
George Steward survived him and later remarried, dying in 1936.