Joe Shilkin
SHILKIN, Joshua (Joe), BCom (Melb) MIEAust MAIDS MEI ED OAM (1910-1985)
Joshua (Joe) Shilkin was born in Perth on October 26, 1910, the fourth son of Mendel (Max) Shilkin and his wife Haisa (Hannah) Shilkin née Steinman. He was educated at Highgate State School, Perth Boys School and CBC Trinity. He won a primary school bursary in 1922 and a Coombe Scholarship in 1926.
His older brothers were prominent businessman, Nate Shilkin, and community leader, Roy Shilkin.
In 1928, Joe enrolled in engineering at the University of Western Australia. By 1936 he was working at McPhersons and rose to the position of Departmental Manager with that firm by 1941. On August 8, 1939 he enlisted in the Citizens' Military Force (CMF) for part time service. On March 9, 1941, he enlisted for full time service in the CMF, working at the WA Ordinance Workshops. On August 6, 1942 he commenced five years’ service with the AIF including serving overseas and rising to the rank of Major. He also graduated from the Royal Military College of Science UK.
Joe was demobilised from the AIF on August 22, 1947, and joined the Commonwealth Division of Industrial Development as Superintendent of Information, based in Victoria. He was promoted to Deputy Assistant Director Industrial Development in 1950.
In 1958 he was awarded an Efficiency Decoration for his service to the Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. By 1953 he was working for the Department of Defence, Army Office, in Victoria as Deputy Director of the Army Inspection Service. He retired from the Department of Defence, on October 25, 1975. In 1981 he was awarded an OAM for his services to industry.
Joe died on October 30, 1985 in Victoria.
Joe became a Student Member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia in 1930, a Junior Member in 1936, an Associate Member in 1948 and a Member by 1970. He was active in the Victorian Division of the Institution of Engineers, being a member of the Committee for Engineering Inspection and Industrial Engineering.
Joe completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne, was a Member of the Australian Institute of Defence Science, and a Member of the Council of the National Association of Testing Authorities. He was a pioneer of quality control in Australia, and was one of three people behind the formation of the Australian Organisation of Quality in 1968. The Shilkin Award for persons who have made a notable contribution to quality control is named after him.
References;
Margaret Sacks (editor), The Way 79 Who is Who, Crawley Publishers, Nedlands, 1980
Sunday Times, 7.2.1926, p3
West Australian, 25.5.1943, p5
West Australian, 6.2.1948, p4
Commonwealth Government Gazette, 12.6.1958, p1922
Army Journal, No 247, December 1969, p39, Australian Army, Dominion Press
West Australian, 4.11.1985, p42
https://www.aoq.net.au/awards/shilkin award/ accessed 1.8.2020
