Mr Ellinghausen – who began his photojournalism career at the Bendigo Advertiser in 2007 – took the shot of the day as Ms Gillard was dragged away from the crowds by security.

The Fairfax photographer said it all came down to quick thinking.

“There were three ways she could have come out (of the Lobby Restaurant): the front or two side exits,” he said.

“All the media were at the front entrance with the majority of the protesters.

“But I saw the Prime Minister’s car move to the side and I had a hunch she was going to make her exit from there.

“After that it was just a running race, jumping over a hedge running into a street post and battling the crowds and riot shields.”

Mr Ellinghausen said it was a tough few minutes.

“There was a lot of stuff going, on it was really chaotic.

“There were some strong images of the protesters banging on the window.

“But I had to make a decision to keep my eye on the ball, so to speak, and think what I needed to get out of this.

“I knew the image was going to be the Prime Minister and how she was going to get out.

“I thought it was historically important, capturing that moment.”

Mr Ellinghausen said his photo gave the public an accurate account of what happened.

“Everyone was on Twitter afterwards with all these different stories, that she was tackled or that she tripped and fell,” he said.

“But that photo just clearly showed what happened, that she was being dragged, and most of those rumours on Twitter were simply untrue.”

Mr Ellinghausen worked at the Bendigo Advertiser from August 2007 until January 2011.

Senior photographer Brendan McCarthy was still an important mentor for him, he said.

“It was actually at the Addy that I was mentored by Brendan, and I still keep in contact with him now.”