Will Hodgman returns to Tasmanian parliament for unveiling of portrait

Sleeves rolled up, wearing his Geelong Football Club tie and his father’s wristwatch, former Premier Will Hodgman is once more a presence in the halls of state parliament. WHY HE’S BACK>>>

SLEEVES rolled up, wearing his Geelong Football Club tie and his father’s wristwatch, former Premier Will Hodgman is once more a presence in the halls of state parliament.

The official portrait of the Liberal politician turned diplomat was unveiled in a ceremony at Parliament House in Hobart on Friday attended by family, friends, former staffers and current and former politicians, the latter being “fellow members of the feather-duster club,” he joked.

The Effie Pryer portrait captures a Premier in a slightly pensive mood against a background canvas of Tasmanian blackwood.

Mr Hodgman, who these days is Australia’s High Commissioner to Singapore, said he was delighted with the work.

“I think it catches me in my traditional pose,” Mr Hodgman said. “Some might think perhaps looking a little too serious or worried.

Will Hodgman former Tasmanian premier official portrait by artist Effie Pryer unveiling at parliament house Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“People always used to say to me when they saw me in the street, ‘why do you look so worried’. There’s a lot to be worried about in this job.”

The portrait was unveiled in prime position at the top of the stairs outside the House of Assembly, flanked on either side by his predecessors David Bartlett and Lara Giddings, the trio watching over members entering and arriving in the chamber.

Will Hodgman former Tasmanian premier official portrait by artist Effie Pryer unveiling at parliament house Hobart.

Mr Hodgman said his late father, well known state and federal MP Michael Hodgman would have been chuffed.

“Dad would have loved this occasion — and would have loved a portrait of himself,” he said.

“I know that while he wasn’t there to see me become premier, he truly believed it would happen and to my mum who was a lover of art and also a super-important support to me, it’s a pity and I regret that they’re not here to celebrate.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff, who entered Parliament with Mr Hodgman in 2002 and served as his deputy for many years in opposition and in government, told the artist she had captured a great likeness of his longtime friend and colleague.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff with Will Hodgman and artist Effie Pryer. Will Hodgman former Tasmanian premier official portrait by artist Effie Pryer unveiling at parliament house Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“You’ve captured Will beautifully, because there’s a cheekiness that comes through, there’s relaxed nature that comes through but it’s also the quiet determination of a person who lead our party and our team for 16 years and who led us into that into government in 2014.”

Mr Hodgman left office in 2020 and was succeeded by Peter Gutwein.

In his seat of Franklin in the 2018 election, he received the most votes ever cast for a single candidate in Tasmanian electoral history.

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