Bishop Goldsworthy was ordained in 1986 as one of Australia's first female deacons, and in May 2008 was the first woman to be consecrated as a bishop of the Anglican Church of Australia. Last December, she was elected as the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Gippsland, and was installed in that role less that a week before the unveiling.
The work was commissioned last year as the College celebrated 40 years of co-residence, and Bishop Goldsworthy's portrait is both a fitting commission and a well-deserved acknowledgement of her achievements.
The portrait was commissioned by the College Art Committee with the generous support of two of Bishop Goldsworthy's close friends, donors Revd Nigel Wright and Stephen Murby.
Eminent artist Peter Wegner was proposed by the College, and enthusiastically embraced by the donors and subject. Wegner is a former finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize and the 2006 Winner of the Doug Moran, as well as being a multiple finalist in the highly recognised portrait award, the Archibald Prize.
His rich, painterly style has been married with a great sense of empathy for the subject to produce a work that is a truly exciting addition to the College's already acclaimed art collections.
At the unveiling, Provost Mr Campbell Bairstow welcomed guests before Muriel Porter OAM spoke of Bishop Goldsworthy's extraordinary journey.
Artist Peter Wegner detailed the process of producing the work. Bishop Goldsworthy acknowledged the friendship and generosity of the donors and the College in bringing the work to fruition.
The work is being prepared for installation and will shortly be hung in the Dining Hall.
L–R: Donor Revd Nigel Wright, the Provost Mr Campbell Bairstow, Bishop Kay Goldsworthy, donor Stephen Murby and artist Peter Wegner
