About Hal Cook
Lived 1912 – 1990 (aged 77). Hal Cook was an Australian civil servant.
Sir Philip Halford "Hal" Cook (10 October 19124 January 1990) was a senior Australian public servant, best known for his time heading the Department of Labour and National Service between 1968 and 1972.
Life and career
Hal Cook was born on 10 October 1912 in Benalla, Victoria to parents Richard Osborne Cook and Elinor Violet May, née Cook.
He was appointed Secretary of the Department of Labour and National Service in January 1968, having worked in the Department since 1946. Cameron later claimed Cook had "put too much time and enthusiasm into preparing evasive answers" to questions in Parliament. He was made a Knight Bachelor in recognition of his service to the International Labour Organisation in June 1976.
In 1992, the friends of Queen’s College library at the University of Melbourne established the biennial Sir Halford Cook lecture to celebrate Cook's contribution as a student, fellow (1972–90) and council member (1978–90).
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Important facts
People in Hal Cook's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Hal Cook's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Hal Cook?
Australian public servant
When was Hal Cook born?
Hal Cook was born on 10 October 1912 in Benalla, Victoria (Australia).
When did Hal Cook die?
Hal Cook died on 4 January 1990 in Box Hill, Victoria, Victoria (Australia).
What was Hal Cook's occupation?
Hal Cook was a civil servant.
What nationality was Hal Cook?
Hal Cook was Australian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hal Cook. https://biography.guide/hal-cook/
MLA: "Hal Cook." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hal-cook/.
Chicago: "Hal Cook." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hal-cook/.
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