© National Portrait Gallery 2019
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
Fax +61 2 6102 7001
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
Maurice Ashkanasy CMG QC (1901 - 71) was a barrister and Jewish community leader whose family emigrated from London when he was nine years old. Appointed QC in 1940 at the age of 39, he served with distinction in Malaya and New Guinea during the second world war. As chairman of the Victorian Bar Council from 1953 to 1956, he did much to improve the conditions and organisation of the Bar, and he was vice president of the Australian arm of the International Commission of Jurists. Throughout his life he was an active member of the Labor party and was deeply involved in Jewish community affairs. He was five times president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Dr Vivianne de Vahl Davis
and Professor Neal Ashkanasy 2000
Accession number: 2000.21
Copyright image request form
Request a digital copy of an image for publication
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!