She will use the lecture to outline her plans for the gallery as it enters its third decade. It will be held at the National Library - yes, library - on Friday, June 28 at 6pm.

Andrew Sayers was a trailblazer, the first director of the gallery, from 1998 to 2010. He oversaw the construction of the purpose-built gallery and was also director of the National Museum before his death in 2015, aged just 58, as the result of pancreatic cancer.

Ms Quinlan's address will focus on her story, the work she did as the director of the Bendigo Art Gallery and the future of the National Portrait Gallery.

"If there is one person l wish with all my heart l could chat to during these first few months of becoming the director of the National Portrait Gallery, it's Andrew Sayers," she said.

"I want to use my time as director to build on the work of Andrew Sayers, to fulfil the mission of the National Portrait Gallery by representing the face of Australia to all Australians.

"What I have done throughout my career, and what I want to do here, is ensure that we continue to build a genuine connection between the public and the collection."

Tickets are $40 per person ($30 for Friends of the National Portrait Gallery) which includes drinks and canapes. There will also be a Q and A session with Ms Quinlan.

Tickets are available via the gallery's website here.