Framed and mounted colour photograph of Neville Bonner sitting in the President’s Chair in the Senate; inscribed on reverse: ‘1975 Senator N.T. Bonner as he presides over Senate.’

Neville Thomas Bonner AO was an Australian politician, and the first Indigenous Australian to become a member of the Parliament of Australia. In the mid-1970s Neville Bonner was one of several Senators who occasionally filled the role of President of the Senate when the President was absent. It was a significant thing to have an Indigenous Australian filling this role. Although Bonner always said he was representing the state of Queensland and was not just representing aboriginal people, he was always a strong advocate and outspoken activist on Indigenous affairs. He sat on several Senate committees on Aboriginal affairs, including land rights. His willingness to listen to all sides and to adopt a moderate stance caused much friction with radical activist aboriginals who wanted him to act more quickly and to take a harder line on aboriginal issues. He refused to placate them, however, as he believed that it was through conciliation and consultation that he could achieve the best results. He was a man of enormous dignity and gravitas, qualities that are illustrated in this photograph.