Biography - Sir William Deane and Lady Deane

Sir William Deane

Sir William Deane was born on 4 January 1931 in Melbourne. His parents were Mr C.A. Deane, MC, and Mrs Lillian Deane who are both now deceased. He was educated at St. Christopher's Convent in Canberra, St. Joseph's College in Sydney and Sydney University where he graduated in Arts and Law. After graduation, he worked for a period in the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department in Canberra and then spent a period studying international law in Europe. In 1955 he was awarded the Diploma (cum laude) of The Hague Academy of International Law.

After a period with the Sydney firm of Minter Simpson & Co., he was called to the Bar in 1957. During 1956 and 1957 he was acting lecturer in international law at Sydney University. He was Teaching Fellow in Equity there from 1957 to 1961. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1966.

In February 1977 Sir William was appointed a judge in the Equity Division of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Subsequently in 1977, he was appointed a judge of the Federal Court of Australia and the President of the Australian Trade Practices Tribunal. In July 1982, he was appointed a Justice of the High Court of Australia and served on that court, which is Australia's highest court, until 10 November 1995 when he retired subsequent to the announcement of his appointment as Governor-General.

Sir William was sworn in as Australia's 22nd Governor-General on 16 February 1996. He was appointed a Knight of the British Empire in 1982 and a Companion in the Order of Australia in 1988.

Sir William and Lady Deane were married on 6 January 1965. They have two children, a son (Patrick) and a daughter (Mary).

Lady Deane

Lady Deane was born on 13 February 1935 at the Sydney suburb of Earlwood. She is the daughter of Dr Gerald Russell and Mrs Kathleen Russell who are now both deceased.

She was educated at Kincoppal Convent in Sydney and Sydney University where she graduated in law. After graduation, she practised as a solicitor with the Sydney firm of Freehill, Hollingdale & Page.

She and Sir William Deane were married on 6 January 1965. They have one son (Patrick) and one daughter (Mary).

Lady Deane's interests include thoroughbred horse breeding, gardening, cooking, and the theatre.