Artwork Concept:

In our submission, we have endeavored to capture the sense of John Curtin, the man, a great and inspiring orator, social reformer and Australia's greatest Prime Minister. We have captured him at a moment in time when he holds sway over a spell-bound audience, his stance and gesture charged with the passion and commitment to his Country and its people for which he was highly rewarded.

There are many many instances in his extraordinary devotion to his people of Australia was his commitment to our troops during WWII. This was his greatest hour for which he paid the ultimate sacrifice of his own life, when he truly took his place amongst the leaders if the World as an equal and in so doing saved Australia from potentially, unimaginably horrific fate at the hands of the Japanese.

Charles Smith & Joan Walsh-Smith

Western Australia 2004