2004, 26 Minutes

Australian Biography Series 9

Art has always been Betty Churcher's private and public passion. As an educator and a gallery director, her vision was to make people see art as accessible and relevant. Despite feeling disadvantaged since childhood because she was a girl, Betty has been a role model for women: the first female head of a tertiary institution, the first female director of a state art gallery and the first woman to be Director of the National Gallery of Australia. She was also a talented young artist herself but gave up painting when she had children. In this interview, Betty talks of art, family and career and the determination that has driven her to achieve.

A Film Australia National Interest Program

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Mark Hamlyn

Rod Freedman

Rod Freedman

Robin Hughes

Robin Hughes (Interviewer)

Level: Secondary, Tertiary, Lifelong Learning

Curriculum links include Art, Curatorial Studies, English, SOSE/HSIE, Education, Women's Studies and Personal Development.

 Betty Churcher Teachers Notes (Acrobat PDF Document, 128Kb)

SBS, 7/1/2004
SBS, 18/7/2004
SBS, 3/1/2008
SBS, 29/5/2008