Heather McKay AO MBE (b. 1941), squash champion, dominated the game worldwide for sixteen years and was beaten only twice in her entire career. Selected to play hockey for Australia while a Queanbeyan schoolgirl, she took up squash at seventeen to maintain her fitness. In 1960, the year after she first played squash, she won the first of her fourteen Australian Amateur Championships. From 1961 to 1973 she also won the NSW and Victorian Championships and, from 1962 to 1977, the British Open title. After moving to Canada, she won the Women's World Open Squash Championship in 1976 and 1979 and was the USA Women's Professional Racquetball Champion In 1980–1981 and 1983–1984. On return to Australia in 1985 she helped to create the Australian Institute of Sport squash unit. Tennis is also an important part of McKay's life and since 2000 she has won nine Australian seniors singles titles and four doubles titles. In 2001 she won the ITF World Veterans' Championship in the 60+ age group. Now 80, McKay still plays tennis to keep fit.
Ern McQuillan was a renowned sports photographer who captured iconic sporting moments as well as revealing the personality of his sitters. He photographed McKay during a trip back to Australia in 1980 just before she retired from professional squash.
Purchased with funds provided by L Gordon Darling AC CMG 2004
© Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs
L Gordon Darling AC CMG (38 portraits supported)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Former NPG Deputy Director, Simon Elliott talks with Ern McQuillan about his life and career as a sports photographer.
This exhibition showcases portraits acquired through the generosity of the National Portrait Gallery’s Founding Patrons, L Gordon Darling AC CMG and Marilyn Darling AC.
