Obituaries Australia

Sir Denison Miller, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 June 1923

Sir Denison Samuel King Miller, K.C.M.G., Governor of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, died suddenly at his home, Cliffbrook, Little Coogee, near Sydney, on the evening of the 6th inst.

The late Sir Denison was born at Fairy Meadow, near Wollongong, N.S.W., on the 8th of March, 1860, and was the son of the late Mr. S. K. Miller, who was an officer of the Department of Education and headmaster of the Deniliquin Public School, where the late banker was educated.

At the age of 16 years, he entered the service of the Bank of New South Wales at the Deniliquin Branch. Having the ambition to become a great banker he, at his own request, was in 1880 transferred to the head office in Sydney, where he devoted all his spare time in studying banking in all its branches. By 1890, he had risen to the position of assistant accountant, in 1894 he became accountant, and three years later assistant to the general manager. In 1907 he was promoted to the position of chief metropolitan inspector.

On the 1st June, 1912, he was chosen by the Hon. Andrew Fisher (then Prime Minister) for the position of first Governor of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. This position he successfully held until his death.

He took an active interest in outside life, and in 1920 was knighted. He was an active member of the N.S.W. Royal Agricultural Society, the Highland Society, the Royal Australian Historical Society, the Royal Colonial Institute, and was founder of the Institute of Bankers of N.S.W. In recognition of his valuable services to the Sydney Children's Hospital, and to the Sydney General Hospital, he was elected a life governor of each institution.

He was twice married, his second wife being the eldest daughter of the late Dr. Heeley, of Young. He had four sons and two daughters. Three of the former enlisted, the eldest being killed in France on 6th June, 1916. The fourth son is still at school.

The late Sir Denison was a keen follower of golf and was president of the Australian Golf Club, Sydney. His death is a great loss to the Commonwealth of Australia.