William Deane, Australian judge and politician, 22nd Governor-General of Australia
Sir William Patrick Deane (born 4 January 1931) is an Australian barrister and jurist who served as the 22nd Governor-General of Australia, in office from 1996 to 2001. He was previously a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1982 to 1995.
Deane received his undergraduate education at the University of Sydney, and later studied international law at The Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands. Prior to joining the judiciary, Deane worked for periods as a barrister and university lecturer. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1977, and later that year was also appointed to the Federal Court of Australia. Deane was elevated to the High Court in 1982, and during his tenure was generally considered to fall on the court's progressive side. He retired from the court in 1995, and the following year was appointed governor-general on the recommendation of Paul Keating. Deane had a low profile during his five-year term, facing no major constitutional issues, but did come to international notice by officially opening the 2000 Summer Olympics.
1931Jan, 4
William Deane
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Events on 1931
- 20Feb
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
The Congress of the United States approves the construction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge by the state of California. - 19Mar
Nevada
Gambling is legalized in Nevada. - 23Mar
Indian independence movement
Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar are hanged for the killing of a deputy superintendent of police during the Indian struggle for independence. - 1Oct
Women's suffrage
Spain adopts women's suffrage. - 7Nov
October Revolution
The Chinese Soviet Republic is proclaimed on the anniversary of the October Revolution.