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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.

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Betty Churcher

Tribute

Magazine article, 2015

Betty Churcher AO (1931–2015), gallery director, author, painter and lecturer, was educated in Brisbane before studying art in London.

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher AO

(Elizabeth) Betty Churcher AO (1931–2015), gallery director, author, painter and lecturer, was educated in Brisbane before studying at the Royal College of Art in London.

3 portraits in the collection

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher

In their own words

In their own words

Recorded 2014

Betty Churcher

'Blockbuster Betty'

Betty Churcher discusses her career as the Director of the National Gallery of Australia.

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher

About Face article

The National Portrait Gallery mourns the loss of our colleague and friend Betty Churcher, AO.

hey, Betty (Portrait of Betty Churcher)

hey, Betty (Portrait of Betty Churcher)

hey, Betty (Portrait of Betty Churcher)

hey, Betty (Portrait of Betty Churcher), 1990

Portrait, oil on plywood

Gift of the artist 2004. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher, 2008

Portrait, inkjet print on paper

Purchased 2013

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher, 1994

Portrait, ilfochrome photograph on paper

Gift of the artist 2021

Betty Churcher, 2008 by Dean Golja

Betty Churcher, 2008

'The portraits of Captain Cook'

An interview with Betty Churcher

Betty Churcher describes the creation of the portrait of Captain James Cook in the National Portrait Gallery.

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Peter Churcher

Peter Churcher's first qualifications were in music, not art. Travelling through Europe after gaining his Licentiate for Piano Performance from Trinity College, London, he visited a great many galleries and was persuaded to return to his original preoccupation, painting.

1 portrait in the collection

image not online

Sir Gustav Nossal, 1999

Portrait, oil on canvas

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Commissioned with funds provided by Karen McLeod Adair and Anthony Adair 1999

Betty Burstall

Betty Burstall AM

Betty Burstall AM (1926–2013) played a vital role in the development of theatre in Australia.

1 portrait in the collection

Preparatory study for Betty Cuthbert

Betty Cuthbert AM MBE

Betty Cuthbert AM MBE (1938–2017), sprinting champion, was Australia's leading gold-medal winning track and field athlete.

5 portraits in the collection

Betty Burstall

Betty Burstall

In their own words

In their own words

Recorded 1973

Betty Cuthbert

Betty Cuthbert

Betty Cuthbert

Betty Cuthbert, 1955 (printed 2003)

Ern McQuillan OAM

Portrait, gelatin silver photograph on paper

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003

© National Portrait Gallery 2025
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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
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