The Honourable Perry Trimper, Speaker of the House of Assembly, announced today the unveiling of the official portrait of former Speaker Tom Osborne, who served as Speaker from December, 2015 to July, 2017. A ceremony took place today in the House of Assembly Chamber to commemorate the unveiling attended by invited guests, including former Speakers.
The tradition of the Speaker portrait collection began in 1949 when former Premier Joey Smallwood commissioned an artist to paint portraits of all pre-Confederation Speakers dating back to 1833. Since 1949, the tradition has been that a sitting Speaker will select an artist to paint a portrait. After the Speaker is no longer occupying the Chair, the portrait is brought to the House of Assembly and a ceremony to unveil it takes place.
“The collection begins with the portrait of John Bingley Garland, who was the first Speaker in 1833. I am pleased that with today’s unveiling, the collection is complete once again with the addition of the portrait of former Speaker Osborne, the 43rd Speaker in the history of our Legislature.”
Honourable Perry Trimper, Speaker of the House of Assembly
– 30 –
Learn More
List of former Speakers of the Newfoundland & Labrador House of Assembly: www.assembly.nl.ca/About/FormerSpeakers.aspx
Follow us on Twitter: @NL_HOA
Media contact
Bobbi Russell
Policy and Communications Officer
House of Assembly
709-729-1178
bobbirussell@gov.nl.ca