Henry Furneaux Peacock


Henry Furneaux Peacock was a South Australian public servant, who served as Under-Treasurer of S.A.

History

Peacock was born in Adelaide to Wiles Peacock, a conveyancer, winegrower and distiller of Fullarton and his wife Jane Peacock, née Furneaux, who arrived in South Australia aboard Taglioni in October 1842 with two daughters.
He was educated at the Fellenberg Commercial School on Hindmarsh Square, and at J. L. Young's Adelaide Educational Institution.
He joined the SA Public Service as a cadet in the Chief secretary's office at the age of 15. He left the public service in 1872 for an appointment with the Bank of South Australia, then joined the Education Department five years later. The following year he won a position with Treasury and was appointed Controller of Accounts on 1 July 1906.
He served during sixteen changes of Treasurer, holding various duties including Registrar of Stock, Controller of Imperial Pensions, and secretary of the Public Service Provident Fund. His final promotion was as successor to Tom Gill as Under-Treasurer in 1920, retiring in 1923. His successor was the Public Actuary, Reginald Robert Stuckey.

Other interests

  • Peacock was a keen gardener and was secretary/treasurer of the S.A. Gardeners' Society for over 25 years.
  • In his youth he was a fine athlete, a member of the Adelaide Amateur Athletic Club, pre-eminent in the pole vault.
  • He played cricket and lacrosse, and served President and Vice-President of various clubs.

Family

Wiles Peacock, conveyancer, also winegrower and distiller of Furneaux vineyard, Fullarton, and his wife Jane Peacock, née Furneaux, who arrived in South Australia aboard Taglioni in October 1842 with two daughters.
There is no reason to believe they were related to businessman and parliamentarian William Peacock.