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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Sir James Balderstone

1989
Sir William Dargie CBE

oil on canvas (frame: 120.0 cm x 102.0 cm)

Sir James Balderstone (1921-2014) was chairman of BHP from 1984 to 1989. Born in Melbourne, he was educated at Scotch College and served in the navy during World War II. A grazier by profession, he became Australian general manager of the meat exporting company Thomas Borthwick and Sons in 1953. While manager of the Stanbroke Pastoral Company, in 1963 he became the foundation chairman of the Australian Meat Exporters Federal Council. In 1976 he became a director of Woodside Petroleum, and into the 1980s he served on a number of boards including those of AMP, Westpac and Chase-AMP Bank. From 1981 to 1982 he was chairman of the Commonwealth Government Working Group on Agricultural Policy, and he was President of the Victorian Institute of Public Affairs from 1981 to 1984. After serving as chairman of BHP, during which period he was also chairman of the Victorian board of directors of AMP, he became chairman of Chase-AMP Bank. He received his knighthood in 1983 for services to primary industry and commerce.

Gift of BHP Billiton 2003. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Roger Dargie and Faye Dargie

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Sir William Dargie CBE (age 77 in 1989)

Sir James Balderstone (age 68 in 1989)

Subject professions

Business, trades and industry

Donated by

BHP Billiton (11 portraits)

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency