After an extraordinary 45-year career that spanned wars, political upheavals, and historic moments, veteran press photographer Gary Ramage has clicked his final shutter in the hallowed halls of Parliament House.
A lifetime behind the lens
The photography icon, renowned for his ability to capture the human side of politics, concluded his remarkable journey on Thursday as politicians from across the spectrum gathered to bid him farewell. His career began in 1979 at The Canberra Times, launching what would become one of Australia's most distinguished photographic careers.
"It's been an absolute privilege," Ramage reflected, his camera bag packed for the final time. "I've witnessed history unfold through my viewfinder - from the Hawke era to today's political landscape."
From battlefields to Question Time
Ramage's portfolio reads like a modern history of Australia and beyond. His lens captured:
- Intense combat zones in Iraq, Afghanistan, and East Timor
- Every prime minister from Bob Hawke to Anthony Albanese
- Countless heated Question Time sessions
- Intimate moments between political rivals
- The daily drama of Australian democracy
"Gary had this uncanny ability to be everywhere at once," remarked one parliamentary staffer. "One minute he's in a war zone, the next he's capturing a quiet conversation between crossbenchers that tells the whole story."
A changing photographic landscape
Ramage's career spanned the evolution from film to digital, witnessing firsthand the transformation of photojournalism. Despite the technological revolution, his approach remained constant: find the human story within the political theatre.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the tributes, noting that Ramage had become "part of the furniture of this place" and praising his professionalism and dedication to telling Australia's story.
The final frame
As the parliamentary session concluded, Ramage received a standing ovation from politicians and colleagues alike. His final photographs captured the usual political debates, but this time, he was also part of the story.
"It's the people I'll miss most," Ramage said, his voice filled with emotion. "The staff, the politicians, the security guards - they've become family over the decades."
While he may have taken his final official photograph in Parliament House, Ramage's visual legacy will continue to shape how Australians understand their political history for generations to come.
