A true trailblazer:
VIRGINIA CHADWICK
Meet the late Honourable Virginia Chadwick AO - the Legislative Council's first female President and a woman of considerable achievement. Her marble likeness was added to the chamber in May 2022, making it the first marble bust to be commissioned for the Parliament in more than a century.
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A prominent President: SIR JOHN HAY
A member of Parliament from 1856 to his death in 1892, Sir John Hay spent eighteen-and-a-half years in the President's chair. As well as being the longest-serving President of the Legislative Council, he left a lasting procedural legacy that we unpack in the video below.
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The first Immortal: JOHN BLAXLAND
John Blaxland served in the Legislative Council between 1829 and 1844, and after his passing became the very first member to be honoured with a marble bust in the chamber. He also held an important connection to the land on Macquarie Street where the NSW Parliament sits today. Learn more in the video below.
A leading figure: JAMES MACARTHUR
With several stints in the Legislative Council totalling more than eleven years, James Macarthur was a leading figure in the early colony and had an important role to play in the constitutional development of NSW. His marble bust was the second to be gifted to the Council and honoured with a place in the chamber.
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A prolific legislator: SIR ALFRED STEPHEN
In 1856, Sir Alfred Stephen became the first President of the Legislative Council under 'Responsible Government' in NSW (that is, after the Parliament evolved to have two Houses). Discover more about his legacy in the video below.
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A Privy Councillor: WILLIAM BEDE DALLEY
While serving as a member of the Legislative Council, William Bede Dalley became the first Australian to be appointed by the Queen to the Imperial Privy Council - an incredibly high honour. Discover the reason for this appointment and more in the video below.
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A President through Federation: SIR JOHN LACKEY
Presiding over the House through the Federation of Australia, Sir John Lackey was also the also the only person to simultaneously hold office as President of the Council while carrying out the duties of Governor of NSW.
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A fair gentleman: SIR FRANCIS SUTTOR
Known for his characteristically fair approach, Sir Francis Suttor was President of the Council for nearly 12 years in the early 1900s. He also held a special connection to agriculture in NSW, and the Royal Show in particular.
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