Vew from the chair: Speeches of Richard WL Austin

When I was appointed, the first letter of congratulations I received was from Dick, in which he almost mourned the fact that his association with the Gallery was somewhat remote. Not long after this he was appointed Chairman, without any personal knowledge that he had been proposed. That he was forewarned only a day before the announcement says as much about the way things were done in those days as it does about the necessity of keeping inspirational decisions under wraps until an announcement was necessary. Dick Austin later recalled his conversation with the then Arts Minister, Brian Austin, about Cabinet's unanimous endorsement of his Chairmanship. The Minister looked him straight in the eye and without flinching said: 'I suppose Joh thought you were my brother'. From the outset there was not the slightest hesitation in rethinking the Gallery and what it might represent. His natural affinity with Asia gave the Gallery an intellectual and policy imperative which has provided us with an institutional profile and programs which are now recognised nationally and, in the case of the Asia-Pacific Triennial, internationally. We have worked together through periods of extraordinary change and never crossed swords. He never wanted to tell me how to run the Gallery and he respected the professionalism of those who worked in it. He understood what Boards must do and went about the business of being Chairman with style and intelligence which, amongst many things, attracted widespread community support and a totally bi– partisan political commitment to the Gallery. Dick Austin, OBE, Order of the Rising Sun (Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon) and Officer of the Order of Australia, General Division (AO)-awarded in that order-has contributed much to public life in Australia. His roles in government, diplomatic, corporate and cultural circles both here and abroad have been generously acknowledged. He has shown us that if we follow Samuel Johnson's advice, 'when making your choice in life, do not forget to live', the result can be the rewarding interconnections of personal interests and public responsibility. Doug Hall Director Queensland Art Gallery 11