Background
McMichael was born in Rockhampton, Queensland on 28 January 1932.
McMichael was born in Rockhampton, Queensland on 28 January 1932.
University of Sydney, 1948-1951, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Surgery. Harvard University, 1953-1955, Master of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy Biology. Spoken languages: English.
He was schooled at North Sydney Technical High School and Newcastle Technical High School, before graduating from University of Sydney in 1952 with first class honours in zoology. In December 1975, he was appointed Director of Environment within the new Department of Environment, Housing and Community Development. In February 1978, McMichael was appointed Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs.
When that Department was reconstituted as the Department of Home Affairs and Environment, he continued as Secretary.
Issues of central importance during his time in the Department included the Tasmanian Dam case and the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, and the need for a greening Australia program McMichael was appointed the first Director of the National Museum of Australia in February 1984, for a seven-year term.
At the time, the Museum was expected to open in 1990. In May 1989, McMichael announced his retirement from the role and from the Australian Public Service, describing the last three years at the museum as "quite frustrating and negative" due to the Australian Government"s lack of commitment to the museum.
Commonwealth Club, Canberra. Canberra Yacht Club; University Club, Sydney.