Sir owen dixon biography
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He enjoyed horse-riding and—especially with his family—cycling and walking; he was a member of the Wallaby Club (president 1936). S. H. Z. Woinarski's collection of Dixon's papers and addresses, Jesting Pilate (Sydney), was published in 1965.
Dixon's poor health persisted and he was confined for most of his remaining life to his home at Hawthorn, for some considerable part of that time to his chair.
At his own request Dixon was relieved of his post in September 1944. He considered the U.N. to be at best of no use, and at worst a danger, to British interests.
Reaching New Delhi in May 1950, Dixon travelled through the disputed territory to collect information, and on 20 July met jointly with prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru of India and Liaqat Ali Khan of Pakistan.
in 1954 and was appointed to the Order of Merit in 1963. . Curtin appointed him Australian Minister in Washington (1942-44). Dixon led a relatively simple life. The ostensible reason given was that victory for the Allies was certain and it was therefore proper for him to resume his judicial duties. He was rather vain, although he did not wear his vanity openly.
He was immensely effective, particularly in the High Court of Australia where he frequently appeared in both constitutional and non-constitutional matters; he 'set one judge against another', skilfully isolating a minority opposed to his point of view and 'persuading a majority to decide in his favour'. It is legalism, in the sense of the 'strict logic and high technique' of the common law, which permeates his judgements.
In 1928 Dixon was one of three barristers appointed by the committee of counsel for Victoria to present its submissions to the royal commission on the Constitution.
In July-December 1926 he had served as an acting-judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria. In 1950 Dixon was nominated as the United Nations representative to mediate in the dispute between India and Pakistan over the states of Jammu and Kashmir.
Following his retirement he took no part in public life. They had four children: Franklin Owen ('Bruv'), born in 1922, who suffered from conical cornea; Edward Owen ('Ted'), Elizabeth Brooksbank Owen ('Bett') and Anne Helen Owen, born in 1934.
G. Menzies, The Measure of the Years (Melb, 1970)