It's time for us to remember that rights are not handed on a platter by governments, they have to be won

Faith Bandler is an Australian political activist and writer, born in Tumbulgum NSW to Aboriginal descent. Faith became involved in indigenous politics as co-founder of the Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship in 1956. Bandler was one of the crucial leaders of the 1967 referendum campaign to enable the Commonwealth government to legislate on behalf of indigenous Australians and to include them in the national census. She was General Secretary of the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres STrait Islanders (1970-73). In 1976 she was awarded an MBE but refused to accept it. Bandler was instrumental in the formation of the Australian South Sea Islanders United Council in 1974. She has written several books about her political activities and her family, and appeared on many radio and television programs.