Hugh Alexander Dunn

For the footballer, see Hughie Dunn.

Hugh Dunn
AO
Born
Hugh Alexander Dunn

(1923-08-20)20 August 1923
Rockhampton, Queensland
Died5 November 2005(2005-11-05) (aged 82)
Brisbane, Queensland
Alma materUniversity of Queensland
Oxford University
Occupation(s)Public servant, diplomat

Hugh Alexander Dunn AO (20 August 1923 – 5 November 2005) was a career Australian diplomat known for his knowledge of China; namely Taiwan (1969–1972) and of the People's Republic of China (1980–1984).[1]

Biography

Dunn was born in Rockhampton, Queensland on 20 August 1923. After completing school at Brisbane Boys' College, he enlisted in the A.I.F., trained in Signals Intelligence and moved with MacArthur's troops through New Guinea and then to the Philippines where the Japanese surrender took place. Returning to Australia after the War, he studied at the University of Queensland. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University[2] where he studied classical Chinese language, history and philosophy.

In a public service career of over 30 years, Dunn served in Japan, South Korea, the United States, India and South Vietnam, and was Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, Uganda, and Seychelles, and Ambassador too Ethiopia (1978–1980); Ambassador to Taiwan (1969–1972); Ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Peru (1973–1976), and Ambassador to the People's Republic of China (1980–1984). In the 1985 Queen's Birthday Honours he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for "services to the public service, particularly in the field of international relations and in the development of Australian relations with China".[3]

After retiring from public service in 1985, Dunn served as Chairman of the Brisbane China Committee, in this capacity actively furthering Australia's relationship with China. He was also a Visiting Professor in the School of Modern Asian Studies at Griffith University and adjunct professor in the Department of History at the University of Queensland. He wrote extensively on Sino-Australian relations and the teaching of the Chinese language. Dunn died in Brisbane on 5 November 2005 at the age of 82.

Published works

  • "The Shaping of a Sinologue of Sorts". Australian in Asia Series No. 1. Dr. Nancy Viviani (Ed.).Centre for the Study of Australian-Asian Relations. Griffith University, 1988.
  • "Conversations on Tibet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan and Chinese Officials". Australian-Asia Papers No. 38. Dr. Nancy Viviani (Ed.) Centre for the Study of Australian-Asian Relations. Griffith University, 1987.
  • Cao Zhi: The life of a Princely Chinese Poet. Beijing, China. New World Press, 1983
  • Ts'ao Chih: The life of a Princely Chinese Poet. Taipei, Taiwan. China News, 1970.
  • Biography: 'Inventory: Items from a Life well travelled' CD (eBook) 2005. 166pp (incomplete.) Published Brisbane, Australia

References

  1. ^ Downer, Alexander (13 November 2005). "Hugh Dunn" (Press release). Alexander Downer. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  2. ^ "Envoy to Kenya appointed". The Canberra Times. ACT. 6 September 1977. p. 9.
  3. ^ "Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) entry for Professor Hugh Alexander Dunn". Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 10 June 1985. Retrieved 25 November 2022. In recognition of services to the public service, particularly in the field of international relations and in the development of Australian relations with China
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Harry Bullock
 Australian Ambassador to Argentina
Australian Ambassador to Uruguay
Australian Ambassador to Paraguay
1973–1976 		Succeeded by
Harry Bullock
Australian Ambassador to Peru
1973–1974 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian High Commissioner to Kenya
Australian Ambassador to Ethiopia
1977–1979 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Australian Ambassador to China
1980–1984 		Succeeded by