A significant piece in the history of the Longshoremen’s Protective Union has been donated to The Rooms.

The framed photo shows W. G. Sullivan, then-union president, shaking hands with King George VI at a Government House Garden Party in 1939, months before the start of World War II.

Current union president, Chris Gosse explains that the picture had been hanging in their old union hall for decades.

He was chatting with an archivist at The Rooms about the picture, when the idea of donating it came up.

He says there has been debate among members as some call it “the golden handshake” while others call it “the royal proclamation.”

The union believes their president was invited to the party to honour LSPU veterans who died in the First World War.