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Sir William Deane

Sir William Deane

Early life and Education:

Sir William Patrick Deane was born on 4th January 1931 in Sunbury, Victoria, Australia. His father’s name was M.R. C.A. Deane, MC, and mother’s name was Lillian Deane. He completed his schooling at St. Christopher's Convent school in Canberra. At the University of Sydney, he completed graduation in arts and law.

After completion of his graduation, he worked for a period in the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department in Canberra. He also attended The Hague Academy of International Law. For studying of International Law, he travelled to Europe. In 1957, he was also called to the Sydney Bar. From1956 to 1957, he lectured international law at the University of Sydney. He was deeply involved in the Catholic community and showed tremendous interest in politics. He was a member of the Democratic Labor Party, but later he was inactive in politics. He was deeply influenced by the Catholic philosophy of social justice. He was not in favour of racial description.

Throughout his career, he received many honors and awards. For his talent and intellectual capacity, in 1982, William Patrick Deane was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. In 1988, he was also appointed as a Companion in the Order of Australia on Australia Day. He has been honored by many renowned academic institutions including, the Queensland University of Technology, the Australian Catholic University, the University of New South Wales and the Melbourne College of Divinity. Deane was also appointed as a Knight of the Order of St. John, and a Knight Commander con Placca of the Papal Order of St. Gregory the Great. He was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize for his rigorous support to the Australians.

Legal Career

The year 1977 witnessed William Patrick Deane as a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and after a few days, he was appointed to the Federal Court of Australia. He was also a President of the Australian Trade Practices Tribunal. William Patrick was appointed as a justice of the High Court of Australia in 1982.He always tried to focus on the glory and importance of human rights. In 1982, he received a knighthood. He sat in many important cases such as the 1992 Mabo case and the 1983 Franklin River case. In 1955, he retired from the High Court. He was appointed as a 22nd Governor General of Australia on 16 February 1996. Sir William, as Governor General, he tried to reconcile between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. He was appointed by the Australian Capital Territory Government as a Patron of the National Capital's 2013 Centenary Celebrations. As a former Patron and Chair of CARE Australia, his contribution can never be under mined. Currently, William Patrick Deane a member of that international aid-organization's Advisory Board.

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