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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.

Richard Walsh, Editor OZ magazine at the Hunter Street offices

c. 1966 (printed 2021)
Robert McFarlane

gelatin silver photograph on paper (image: 33 cm x 22 cm, sheet: 42 cm x 33 cm)

Sydney-born Richard Walsh (b. 1941) is an Australian publisher, journalist, broadcaster, editor, lecturer and company director. While studying arts and medicine at Sydney University in the 1960s, Walsh co-founded and co-edited the underground publication OZ magazine with Richard Neville and Martin Sharp. The magazine's polarising content led to Walsh, Neville and Sharp twice being prosecuted on charges of obscenity. Walsh went on to found POL magazine in 1968 while simultaneously working at J Walter Thompson advertising. In 1971 he founded the Sunday Review, later renamed the Nation Review. Senior executive positions at Angus & Robertson, Australian Consolidated Press and Allen & Unwin followed. A founding member of the Literature Board of the Australian Council and president of the Australian Book Publishers' Association, Walsh has also held chairperson positions with various public bodies. Walsh is the author of numerous books including Reboot (2017) and has written for both television and stage.

Robert McFarlane's photograph captures Walsh in a moment of contemplation in the office of OZ magazine. Dominating the background is a 1966 OZ poster by Martin Sharp titled God bless dear Daddy who is fighting the Viet Cong and send him OZ; as well as current affairs clippings from newspapers and magazines. The portrait suggests the preoccupations of the youthful editor who was passionate about being an alternative, dissenting voice in a straitlaced media landscape.

Purchased with funds provided by Tim Bednall 2021
© Robert McFarlane/Copyright Agency, 2024

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

Robert McFarlane (age 24 in 1966)

Richard Walsh (age 25 in 1966)

Supported by

Tim Bednall (4 portraits supported)

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
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ABN: 54 74 277 1196

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