Norman Makin

Norman Makin came to diplomacy through Labor politics and wartime government. He served as minister for the navy and munitions and, later, aircraft production. In 1946 he led Australia’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly and became the first president of the Security Council. ¹

Makin resigned from Parliament to represent Australia in Washington, becoming its first ambassador when the legation was upgraded in 1946. His responsibilities included the Far Eastern Commission’s work on postwar Japan and service as a World Bank governor. A Methodist lay preacher, he also addressed congregations in Washington. ¹

He returned to Australia in 1951 and reentered Parliament in 1954, serving until 1963. He published a study of federal Labor leaders and continued lay ministry into old age. ¹