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Sir Anthony Mason

Sir Anthony Mason
Artwork details
Court 3
Bryan WESTWOOD
(1930–2000)
Sir Anthony Mason
oil on canvas

High Court of Australia Historic Memorials Collection

Background

The Hon Sir Anthony Frank Mason (born 1925) was a Justice of the High Court from 7 August 1972 to 4 February 1987, and Chief Justice from 5 February 1987 to 20 April 1995. He graduated from the University of Sydney with Bachelor degrees in Arts and Law, and was admitted to the NSW Bar in 1951. During World War II he served in the RAAF. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel (QC) in 1964, and served as Commonwealth Solicitor-General during 1964–69. He was a Judge of the NSW Court of Appeal (1969–72) and Pro-Chancellor at the Australian National University 1972–75. Anthony Mason’s other civil honours include appointment as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1969, Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1972, Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 1988.

Former Chief Justices (further information)

About the artist

Bryan Westwood (1930–2000) was born in Lima, Peru and educated in South America and Australia. He was based in Australia but spent periods travelling and working in Italy, France and the USA. Portraiture was only a facet of Westwood’s oeuvre; he also painted landscapes, interiors, still-lifes and figurative works. He won the Archibald Prize in 1989 for his portrait of the artist, art critic and writer Elwyn Lynn, and again in 1992 for his portrait of the Prime Minister Paul Keating.