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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.

A Premier "The New Man" [The Hon. George Briscoe Kerferd]

1874
Tom Durkin and The Weekly Times (publisher)

from the series ‘Masks and Faces’
lithograph on paper (sheet: 33.7 cm x 20.2 cm)

George Briscoe Kerferd (1831–1889), politician, lawyer and judge, came to Victoria in 1853 and established himself as a wine and spirits merchant in Beechworth having spent several months on the Bendigo diggings. He then went into other business ventures, including a successful brewery. By 1857 he’d become a member of the Beechworth Municipal Council, and was engaged in community projects such as the establishment of the Ovens District Hospital and the Benevolent Asylum. During the 1860s, he instigated his plan for Beechworth’s water supply (Lake Kerferd is named for him). With his strong record on matters relating to local development and progress, he was encouraged to nominate for the Legislative Assembly and was elected in 1864, serving as the member for Ovens until 1886. After taking up his seat he began to study law in earnest and was admitted to the Bar in 1867. He served five separate terms as attorney-general between 1874 and 1886, and was premier during 1874–75, using his influence to bring about the construction of the north-eastern railway line and a branch line to Beechworth. After leaving Parliament Kerferd was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court, and during the 1870s and 80s was actively involved in the moves towards Federation.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2016

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

Tom Durkin (age 21 in 1874)

The Weekly Times

Hon. George B. Kerferd (age 43 in 1874)

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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.

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