Sir William Deane | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 22nd Governor-General of Australia | |
| In office 16 February 1996 – 29 June 2001 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Paul Keating John Howard |
| Preceded by | Bill Hayden |
| Succeeded by | Peter Hollingworth |
| Justice of the High Court of Australia | |
| In office 25 June 1982 – 11 November 1995 | |
| Nominated by | Malcolm Fraser |
| Preceded by | Ninian Stephen |
| Succeeded by | Michael Kirby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 January 1931 Melbourne, Victoria |
| Spouse(s) | Helen Russell |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
| Profession | Barrister Judge |
Sir William Patrick Deane (born 4 January 1931) is an Australian lawyer and judge. He served as the 22nd Governor-General of Australia, in office from 1996 to 2001. 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. He was a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1982 to 1995.
Deane had a low profile during his five-year term, having no major constitutional issues, but did become notice by the global scale by officially opening the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Deane was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) on 10 August 1982, a few weeks after being appointed to the High Court.
