Donald Fred McMichaelCBE (28 January 1932 – 10 June 2017) was an Australian marine biologist and senior public servant.

McMichael was born inRockhampton,Queensland on 28 January 1932. He was schooled atNorth Sydney Technical High School and Newcastle Technical High School, before graduating fromUniversity of Sydney in 1952 with first class honours in zoology.^[1] Don started his career as an Assistant Curator at theAustralian Museum. He then received aFulbright Travelling Scholarship to undertake an MA and PhD atHarvard University in 1953-55.^[2]

His PhD thesis at Harvard University, which he began in 1953, was on Australian freshwater mussels.^[3]

On his return to Australia, Don was appointed Curator of Molluscs, and then Deputy Director (from 1967), of the Australian Museum. His positions with the Australian Museum encapsulated themes that were to continue throughout his professional life - public service, environment and museums.^[2] In 1969 he was appointed as the second Director of theNew South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, a role he held till 1973.

In December 1975, he was appointed Director of Environment within the newDepartment of Environment, Housing and Community Development.^[4]

In February 1978, McMichael was appointedSecretary of theDepartment of Home Affairs.^[5][6] When that Department was reconstituted as theDepartment of Home Affairs and Environment, he continued as Secretary.^[7] Issues of central importance during his time in the Department includedthe Tasmanian Dam case and theUluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park,^[8] and the need for a greening Australia program.^[9]

McMichael was appointed the first Director of theNational Museum of Australia in February 1984, for a seven-year term. At the time, the Museum was expected to open in 1990.^[10] In May 1989, McMichael announced his retirement from the role and from theAustralian Public Service, describing the last three years at the museum as "quite frustrating and negative" due to theAustralian Government's lack of commitment to the museum.^[11]

In June 1981, McMichael was made aCommander of the Order of the British Empire for public service.^[12] He was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001 for service as the first Director of theAustralian Conservation Foundation.^[13]

• 1932 births
• 2017 deaths
• Australian public servants
• Australian Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
• People from Rockhampton
• Harvard University alumni
• University of Sydney alumni
• People educated at North Sydney Technical High School

• Use Australian English from April 2015
• All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English
• Use dmy dates from April 2015