The Hon Bill Hayden AC (b. 1933) was Governor-General of Australia from 1989 to 1996, having been Leader of the Opposition from 1977 to 1983 and Labor member for the Federal seat of Oxley from 1961 to 1988. At one time an officer in the Queensland Police Force, Hayden later held a number of government portfolios, including Foreign Affairs (1983-1988). He was named Australian Humanist of the Year in 1996.
Davida Allen, painter, novelist and filmmaker, painted this double portrait of Bill Hayden and his wife Dallas while Hayden was Governor-General. Showing the couple at Government House on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, it was considered a stand-out entry in the generally lacklustre Archibald Prize of 1993. Allen had won the Prize six years before with a similar-sized portrait of her father-in-law, Dr John Shera, watering his garden.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 1999
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
Accession number: 1998.27
Copyright image request form
Request a digital copy of an image for publication
Davida Allen (2 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Explore portraiture and come face to face with Australian identity, history, culture, creativity and diversity.
Location, accessibility and amenities
We depend on your support to keep creating our programs, exhibitions, publications and building the amazing portrait collection!
Principal partner
Strategic partner
Cultural partner
Media partner
Media partner
Media partner
Beverage partner
Imaging partner
Digital partner
Audio visual partner
