© National Portrait Gallery 2025
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
David Williamson AO
Biography
David Williamson AO (b. 1942), playwright, studied and lectured in mechanical engineering and psychology before achieving success with his works for the stage.
4 portraits in the collection
John Williamson
Biography
John Williamson (b. 1945), singer songwriter, was born and raised in Victoria's Mallee region.
1 portrait in the collection
Malcolm Williamson AO CBE
Biography
Malcolm Benjamin Graham Christopher Williamson AO CBE (1931–2003), composer, was born in Sydney, and was educated at Barker College, Hornsby, and then at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he studied piano and French horn as well as composition under Sir Eugene Goossens.
1 portrait in the collection
James Cassius Williamson
Biography
James Cassius Williamson (1845-1913), actor and theatrical entrepreneur, worked and performed in theatres in his native USA before coming to Victoria under contract to George Selth Coppin in 1874.
1 portrait in the collection
Simon Griffiths
Biography
Simon Griffiths has been acclaimed in numerous publications as Australia's leading food and garden photographer.
1 portrait in the collection
Elizabeth Sarah Roberts
Biography
Elizabeth Sarah (Lillie) Roberts (née Williamson, 1860–1928), artist, was born in Launceston, the daughter of Caleb Williamson, a successful merchant, and his wife, Elizabeth.
1 portrait in the collection
George A. Highland
Biography
George A Highland (1874-1954), theatrical producer, grew up in England, where, as a choirboy, he came to the attention of Arthur Sullivan.
1 portrait in the collection
John Sumner AO CBE
Biography
John Sumner AO CBE (1924–2013), described as the 'father of Australian drama', was born in England and trained and worked in repertory theatre there before World War 2.
2 portraits in the collection
Gillian Armstrong AM
Biography
Gillian Armstrong (b. 1950) studied theatre and film-making at Swinburne Technical College and was a star student at the newly-established Australian Film and Television School in the early 70s.
2 portraits in the collection
John Bell AO OBE
Biography
John Bell AO OBE (b. 1940), actor and director, is one of Australia's best-known theatre personalities.
3 portraits in the collection
Amy Castles
Biography
Amy Castles (1880–1951), soprano, was born in Melbourne and educated at schools in Bendigo, where her family lived from the early 1880s.
4 portraits in the collection
Betty Burstall AM
Biography
Betty Burstall AM (1926–2013) played a vital role in the development of theatre in Australia.
1 portrait in the collection
Browning Mummery
Biography
Joseph Browning Mummery (1888-1974), was born in inner suburban Melbourne to a musically-inclined family who fostered his interest in singing.
1 portrait in the collection
Steve Irwin
Biography
Steve Irwin (1962-2006) achieved international fame as the 'Crocodile Hunter'.
1 portrait in the collection
John Dease
Biography
Conly John Paget Dease (1906-1979), actor and broadcaster, spent thirty years as one of the signature voices of the ‘Golden Age’ of Australian radio.
1 portrait in the collection
Louis Nowra
Biography
Louis Nowra (b. 1950), writer, grew up in dire family circumstances on a housing commission estate in Melbourne.
1 portrait in the collection