Mervyn Probine
{{Short description|New Zealand physicist and public servant (1924–2010)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Mervyn Probine
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|CB|FRSNZ|size=100%}}
| image = Mervyn Probine.jpg
| office = Chairman of the State Services Commission
| term_start = 1981
| term_end = 1986
| primeminister = Robert Muldoon
David Lange
| predecessor = Robin Williams
| successor = Roderick Deane
| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1924|04|30|df=y}}
| death_place = Auckland, New Zealand
| death_date = {{dda|df=y|2010|4|17|1924|4|30}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Marjorie Walker|1949}}
| children = 2
| module = {{Infobox scientist | embed = yes
| fields = Biophysics
| workplaces =
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| education =
| alma_mater = University of Leeds
| thesis_title = Molecular structure and mechanical properties of plant cell walls in relation to growth
| thesis_url = https://leeds.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/44LEE_INST/13rlbcs/alma991010878279705181
| thesis_year = 1959
| doctoral_advisor =
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}}
}}
Mervyn Charles Probine {{post-nominals|country=NZL|CB|FRSNZ|size=85%}} (30 April 1924 – 17 April 2010) was a New Zealand physicist and public servant. He served as chairman of the State Services Commission between 1981 and 1986.
Early life and family
Born in Auckland on 30 April 1924, Probine was the son of Frederick Charles Probine and Annie Kathleen Probine (née Polson).{{cite news |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19240503.2.2.2 |title=Births |date=3 May 1924 |page=1 |work=New Zealand Herald |accessdate=23 July 2020}} He married Marjorie Walker in 1949, and the couple went on to have two children.
Career
Probine joined the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) as a draughtsman in 1942.{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3597666/Former-State-Services-Commission-boss-dies |title=Former State Services Commission boss dies |date=19 April 2010 |agency=NZPA |work=Stuff.co.nz |accessdate=23 October 2011}} He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Auckland University College in 1947 and a Master of Science from 1951 from Victoria University College,{{cite web |url=http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/university19.html |title=NZ university graduates 1870–1961: P |website=Shadows of Time |accessdate=23 July 2020}} and obtained a PhD in physics from the University of Leeds. In 1967, he was appointed director of the Physics and Engineering Laboratory (PEL), and then ten years later, was promoted to assistant director-general of the DSIR.
Probine joined the State Services Commission in 1979,
{{cite book|author=Henderson, Alan|title=The Quest for Efficiency:The Origins of the State Services Commission|year=1990 |publisher=State Services Commission |isbn=0-477-05538-9}}
and was appointed chair of that body in 1981. During his tenure, the Official Information Act 1982 was passed and the Equal Employment Opportunities Unit (EEOU) was established. The EEOU was charged with promoting and monitoring access to employment opportunities in the New Zealand public service for ethnic minorities, women, and the disabled.
Honours and awards
In 1964, Probine was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand.{{cite web |url=https://www.royalsociety.org.nz/who-we-are/our-people/our-fellows/all-fellows/p-r/ |title=List of all Fellows with surnames P–R |publisher=Royal Society Te Apārangi |accessdate=23 July 2020}} In the 1986 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath, in recognition of his service as chairman of the State Services Commission.{{London Gazette |issue=50362 |date=31 December 1985 |page=29 |supp=2}}
Death
References
{{reflist}}
- Notable New Zealanders (1979, Paul Hamblyn, Auckland)
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Probine, Mervyn}}
Category:New Zealand public servants
Category:New Zealand Companions of the Order of the Bath
Category:Scientists from Auckland
Category:Alumni of the University of Leeds
Category:New Zealand physicists
Category:People associated with Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (New Zealand)