Sir John Kerr AK KCMG LSt J PC GCVO QC (1914-1991) was the eighteenth Governor-General of Australia. Kerr was born in Sydney and educated at Fort Street Boys' High and the University of Sydney, where he graduated in law with first class honours and a University Medal. He was admitted to the bar in 1938, and reached the rank of Colonel in the AIF during the war. From 1953, when he took silk, through the early 1960s he worked as a lawyer, becoming both President of the Bar Association and President of the Law Council of Australia in 1964. In 1966 he became a judge of the Commonwealth Industrial Court, and in 1972 he became Chief Justice of New South Wales. In 1974 he resigned from this position to become Governor-General.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Enid Hawkins 2003
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
© Enid Hawkins (nee Hinder)
Frank Hinder (age 70 in 1976)
Sir John Kerr AK KCMG LSt J PC GCVO QC (age 62 in 1976)
Enid Hawkins (6 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.
Visit us, learn with us, support us or work with us! Here’s a range of information about planning your visit, our history and more!
We depend on your support to keep creating our programs, exhibitions, publications and building the amazing portrait collection!
