Evonne Goolagong, 1974

One of the tennis greats, Evonne Goolagong Cawley AO MBE (1951–) came to international attention in 1970 when she won the French Open. In 1971 she took Wimbledon by storm. That same year she was named Australian of the Year and the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year.

This photograph was taken in 1974. During the 1970s Goolagong Cawley amassed singles and doubles trophies at major tournaments in Britain, Europe and Australia. In 1980 at the age of 29, after a brief break to rear a family, Goolagong Cawley returned to tennis with another triumphant win at Wimbleton.

Goolagong Cawley's achievements and ongoing commitment to tennis have been recognised in committee appointments to key sporting bodies and awards, including Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1982.

One of the first Indigenous women to carve out an international career in sport, Goolagong Cawley is a member of the Wiradjuri people of New South Wales. She continues to play an active role in promoting sport within the Indigenous community.

On 27 May 1967 Australians voted ‘Yes’ to the removal of provisions in the Australian Constitution which discriminated against Aboriginal people. It was the highest ‘Yes’ vote (90.77 per cent) ever recorded in a federal referendum.

This year National Reconciliation Week is celebrated from 27 May to 3 June.

This photograph comes from the collection of the National Archives of Australia.

It should be cited as NAA: A6180, 22/1/74/81.

You may save or print this image for research and study. If you wish to use it for any other purpose you must contact the National Archives of Australia to request permission.