PHOTOS: The National Treasures of Australia

Following Richard Hedger's award-winning 2014 Mardi Gras exhibition, "Toy With Me," his new work, "National Treasures," is an insightful nod to the older members of a community predominantly represented by images of the young, fit, hedonistic, and decadent.

Portrayal of LGBTI folks tends to nurture stereotypes and generally highlights only a small representation of the population. "National Treasures" challenges this. It celebrates a generation who have witnessed, endured, and in their individual ways contributed to significant social and cultural change. In various degrees each has helped pave the way for a society that is more aware and accepting. Each of the sitters has a story to tell. They have played a role in effecting attitudes and definitions of what it means to be a LGBTI person.

"We are born gay and we die gay," says Hedger. "This project gave me the opportunity to intimately portray a group of wonderful people who have lived rich and interesting lives and who also happen to be 'gay.' My intention is that the work challenges preconceptions and breaks down stereotypical representations of the LGBTI community"

For more of Richard Hedger's work, go to RichardHedger.com.
You can connect with Richard Hedger on Facebook here.

Dorothy McRae-McMahon, former minister of the Pitt Street Church in Sydney and the Uniting Church in Perth, who was awarded the Australian Government Peace Medal and the Human Rights Medal for her activism.

Geoff, a former high school history teacher.

Gail Hewison, owner with her sisters of the much-loved Feminist Bookshop in Leichhardt, Sydney.

Jack Charles, indigenous elder, actor, and activist.

Peter and Bon, from the 1970s ABC documentary Chequerboard, the first male couple to kiss on TV.

Spiro

Liz

Ulo

Vincent

Ian

Ronaldo

Col

Sylvia, originally from Liverpool, England, who "upped sticks" and moved to Australia, finally settling in Sydney.

Robyn

Ted Swab, a former nurse, cocktail bar owner, and Sydney Mardi Gras regular.

Ian, a ceramacist, who lives with his house rabbit, Beau, in Glebe.