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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.

Secure the shadow ere the substance fade

The tragic tale of Tom Wills, the ‘inventor’ of Australian Rules Football.

More information on Secure the shadow ere the substance fade

Selected images

8 images
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Tom Wills, c. 1870 by William Handcock
Tom Wills, c. 1870 by William Handcock
Thomas Wentworth Wills
Thomas Wentworth Wills, c. 1859 an unknown artist
Horace Spencer Wills and Cedric Spencer Wills
Horace Spencer Wills and Cedric Spencer Wills, c. 1859 an unknown artist
Horatio Spencer Wills
Horatio Spencer Wills, c. 1855 an unknown artist
Emily Spencer Wills
Emily Spencer Wills, c. 1855 an unknown artist
Grand intercolonial cricket match, 1858 EL Robinson (lithographer) after Henry Heath Glover (1828–1904)
Grand intercolonial cricket match, 1858
EL Robinson (lithographer) after Henry Heath Glover (1828–1904)
Sketch of the Victorian Eleven and the Intercolonial Cricket Ground, 1860 by Edward Gilks
Sketch of the Victorian Eleven and the Intercolonial Cricket Ground, 1860 by Edward Gilks
The Aboriginal Cricket Team, 1866 photographer unknown
The Aboriginal Cricket Team, 1866
photographer unknown
8 images
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© National Portrait Gallery 2025
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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
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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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