Portraits from a recent trip to Nyirripi community, located 500 kms north west of Alice Springs in Warlpiri Lands, central Australia.
*click through images for full screen view
Nyirripi Doors
Maudie Nampajinpa Morris
Maudie Nampajinpa Morris is one of the last remaining ‘original’ residents of Nyirripi community, a small remote township in the Warlpiri Lands, around 500kms northwest of Alice Springs in central Australia.
She is an elder, grandmother and artist. Her paintings usually depict Maliki Jukurrpa (Dog Dreaming). The Adelaide Crows is her AFL team.
*click through images for full screen view
Nyirripi Landscapes
Some landscape shots from a recent visit to Nyirripi, a small Warlpiri community, around 500kms northwest of Alice Springs in central Australia, where I lived for around 2 years in the mid 1990s.
Just outside the community stands the important sites of Karrku (Karrku Dreaming) and Winnijarru (Dingo Dreaming).
*click through images for full screen view
Dark Emu Over Nyirripi
The night sky over Nyirripi community, Warlpiri Land, 500 kms north west of Alice Springs, central Australia.
*click image for full screen view
NAIDOC on Arrernte Country
A few quick images of yesterday’s NAIDOC march and Welcome to Country by Arrernte elder Kumalie Kngwarreye Riley in Alice Springs.
Around 800 people marched through the Todd Street Mall to the town square, where celebrations ensued.
*click through images for full screen view
Vigil For Julian Assange's Birthday
Tonight, a candle light vigil was held outside Sydney Town Hall to bring attention to the plight of Julian Assange, who is currently incarcerated in a British prison with the threat of extradition to the United States hanging over his head. There were simultaneous vigils held in different cities around the world, coinciding with Assange’s 48th birthday.
Speakers in Sydney warned that Assange was being used as a scapegoat and as a warning to whistleblowers and journalists wanting to expose abuses of power and corruption at all levels. The AFP raids on the ABC were cited as an example of how the shift towards the stifling of press freedoms was gaining pace. And the media themselves were criticised for their lack of support for Assange.
MC for the night was artist, Hellen Rose. Other speakers included journalist Wendy Bacon, clinical psychologist, Lissa Johnston, long-time family friend of Assange, Rebecca McGlone and Socialist Equity Party representative, Linda Tenenbaum.
*click through images for full screen view
Sudan Revolution Solidarity Rally
Yesterday, June 30th 2019, a rally in solidarity with the currently unfolding Sudanese Revolution took place in Hyde Park, Sydney. Around 700 people attended. It was one of many rallies held simultaneously around the world to bring attention to the military crackdown in Sudan.
Mass protests in the capital Khartoum and elsewhere in Sudan, erupted last night, with at least 7 killed and hundreds wounded.
The unrest is part of the democratic movement which has gained momentum over the last year and which led to the ousting of long-time President Omar al-Bashir in April. Since then, a military council has assumed power and is resisting calls for structural reform. On June the 3rd, a crackdown saw dozens killed during demonstrations. The democratic opposition is calling for a civilian-led 3 year reform process before elections are held to ensure that meaningful and long-lasting change is achieved.
It has been noted the prominent role that women have played in the revolution in Sudan and this was reflected in yesterday’s rally in Sydney.
*click through images for full screen view
12 Years of the Northern Territory Intervention
Photographs from yesterday’s rally at Hyde Park in Sydney, Gadigal, commemorating 12 years since the Northern Territory Intervention began.
In 2007, the then federal government sent troops into Aboriginal communities on the back of dubious claims about those communities. Today, the NT Intervention endures, repackaged as a race-based set of laws which the government calls, ‘Stronger Futures’.
MC-ing the rally was Muruwari and Budjiti man Bruce Shillingsworth. Other speakers read out letters from Aboriginal community leaders from the Northern Territory, condemning the Intervention.
After speeches, the rally marched from Hyde Park to Belmore Park through the city.
The rally was organised by the Stop The Intervention Collective Sydney (STICS). A statement from STICS is posted below the images.
*click through images for full screen view
A statement from the organisers, STICS:
“An open letter to Ken Wyatt, Minister for Indigenous Australians, states ‘21st June 2019 marks 12 years since the start of the Northern Territory Intervention (now called Stronger Futures). Although Aboriginal people have become conditioned to the detrimental impacts of those racist laws, the trauma is deeply entrenched and continues.’ This is part of a longer statement from three staunch First Nations women from Central Australia, Elaine Kngwarraye Peckham, Barbara R Shaw and Marie Ellis. ‘The voices of people struggling under these racist laws have not been heard, or their pleas have been distorted to impose further repressive laws on them’.
This open letter is a cry for empowerment of Aboriginal communities through local governance. It calls for an end to excessive policing, to increased incarceration rates, to the removal of children from their communities, to pressure to sign over land and to the imposition of compulsory income management and more; all of which are entrenching a sense of helplessness in future generations.
Now a new attack on sovereignty and self-determination has emerged. The NT government has just released proposed fracking maps covering 50% of the territory. The impoverishment caused by the Intervention has made communities vulnerable. Still the grassroots are fighting, holding protests and sending delegations to governments and the corporations coming for their land. In return for fracking they are being offered what should be the basic human rights of all- housing, health, education, cultural support. What a disgrace!
Twelve years ago, Arrente Gurdanji woman Patricia Turner said the government were implementing the Intervention as ‘a trojan horse to resume total control of our lands’.”
Barbara McGrady at Aperture Australia Photo Conference
Some images of Gomeroi photojournalist, Barbara McGrady, at the Aperture Photography Conference at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. Also pictured with photographer and keynote speaker, Stephen Dupont.
Shot on a Nikon F2AS, Kodak Tri-X 35mm black and white film.
*click through images for full screen view
Six Quick Chicks
Comedy Cabaret troupe, Six Quick Chicks, performed at the East Sydney Community and Arts Centre on Saturday night to a full house.
Performances from Vashti and Christa Hughes, Celia Curtis, Kira Hu La , Leonie Cohen, Lucy Suze Taylor, Jude Bowler and Claire Anastopoulos.
*click through images for full screen view
15 Years Too Long - TJ Hickey Petition Presented For Parliament
On Thursday, Gail Hickey, mother of T.J. Hickey, and her family and supporters, presented a petition with over 12,000 signatures to Greens MP, David Shoebridge, triggering a formal mention in the NSW Parliament. The petition seeks to reinstate the inquiry into T.J.’s death.
In 2004, T.J. Hickey, then 17, was killed during a police pursuit in Redfern. His family has always maintained a police cover up in the matter.
The signatures were collected over the past months and was supported by the Indigenous Social Justice Association (ISJA), Sydney.
*click on images for full screen view
Another Roll of 35mm Film
An assortment of shots from a roll of Kodak Tri-X black and white film.
Shot on a Contax IIIa, 50mm f1.5
*click through images for full screen view
Demolition of The Block Continues
The historic Aboriginal Flag mural at The Block has come down as the demolition of the area continues to make way for student housing.
The Block in the inner-Sydney suburb of Redfern, has served as an important site for Aboriginal communities since pre-Colonial times.
During the 1970s, it was the centre of an Aboriginal political and social renaissance that had influence across Australia and which still reverberates today.
In 2015, after much of the Aboriginal community was moved out and as the site was earmarked for redevelopment, an activist campaign led by Aunty Jenny Munro, set up the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy, occupying the site in a 16-month protest. As a result, 62 apartments within the development were promised as low-cost housing for Aboriginal families. Nevertheless, plans for the redevelopment proceeded.
Today, the last remnants of what was The Block were knocked down as excavation of the site forged ahead.
With the foundations soon to be sunk, construction of the massive 24-story student apartment complex will now begin in earnest.
*click through images for full screen view
Climate Strikes and Beyond
In the wake of the recent Federal election, a panel convened at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to discuss and reconsider the future of social change and impact in Australia, with particular focus on Aboriginal issues, the climate and mining.
The student-led climate strikes were identified as a contemporary model to realise social change and ‘climate jobs’ as a key driver of economic and political change. It was argued that Aboriginal issues, perspectives and voices should lead such discussions and developments.
The Panel included:
Chair: Jason De Santolo, Garrwa, Associate Prof. Indigenous Research, school of Design
Gadrian Hoosan
Nancy Yukuwal McDinny - Borroloola Elder
Scott McDinny - Garrwa and Yanyuwa, SEED Indigenous Youth Climate Network
Padraic Gibson - Activist at UTS, Jumbunna Researcher
India Pardoel - School Strike 4 Climate
Further info from the organisers:
Call for a global climate strike September 20: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/23/greta-thunberg-young-people-climate-strikes-20-september
Scott and Nancy have been in Sydney with other family from Borroloola to premiere the film "Warburdar Bununu: Water Shield", documenting their struggle against destruction of waterways by mining and the impending threat of fracking:
http://www.watershield.com
An article about the Gamilaraay delegation to the last climate strike on March 15, supported by UTS staff
https://jumbunna.institute/2019/03/27/walgett-delegation-addresses-student-climate-strike-on-the-nsw-river-crisis/
*click through images for full screen view
A Photo Shoot with Model and My Mum, Star
Playing around with some strobe lighting and my mother happened to be on hand as my model for the day.
*click through images for full screen view
Shhhhh! 5 - The Final Performance
Photos from the 5th and final in a series of silent street theatre performances produced by Vashti Hughes, critiquing Sydney’s draconian lockout laws and policing regimes which have impacted on cultural expression, night life and quality of life.
Performed outside the Piccolo Bar in Kings Cross, Sydney.
*click through images for full screen view
Reflections of Canberra
Some autumnal shots of Canberra.
*click through images for full screen view
Message Stick Walker Arrives in Canberra, Ngunnawal
Alwyn Doolan, The Message Stick Walker, arrived in Canberra, Ngunnawal country, on the weekend, after a trek of over 8,500 kms from Bamaga in far north Queensland. His historic 12-month walk travelled through over 50 first nations, gathering and imparting knowledge along the way.
Alwyn is a Gooreng Gooreng Wakka Wakka man and Yunyiddee (Aboriginal Messenger), inspiring cultural connection and connection to land amongst his people, as well as healing for broader Australia. He carries with him three message sticks, “that represent the three stages of Australia’s story - creation, colonisation and healing”. A statement by Alwyn Doolan can be found here.
His arrival to the outskirts of Canberra on Saturday was met with a Ngunnawal Welcome to Country smoking ceremony and a group of family members and supporters, some of whom have accompanied part of the trek along the route and others who have followed Alwyn’s journey on Facebook. After the smoking, the contingent walked through Canberra’s CBD to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, located in front of Old Parliament House. The group was escorted over the last few kilometres by the Indigenous (motorcyle) Riders Club and cheered in to the Embassy by Aboriginal elders and other supporters.
The following day, after a yarning circle at the Embassy, Alwyn collapsed - a result of the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual toll of his epic journey. He was nursed back to health that day and recovered after a night’s sleep.
The next morning, Monday, Alwyn, his family and supporters marched from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, up to the doors of Parliament House proper, to present a Statement of Intention to the Australian Government. The statement was read on the forecourt of Parliament House.
Alwyn plans to present the message sticks and tribal law notice to the new, incoming Australian Government, once sworn in, after which, his journey will continue.
Donations to the Message Stick Walk can be made here.
*click on image for full screen view
Salt, Sand and Sky
Some images playing around with different film stock at Sydney’s eastern beaches - Bondi and Coogee.
Shot on a Hasselblad 503 CXi, Ilford SFX 200 and Ilford Fp4 125, black and white, medium format 120 film.
*click through images for full screen view
Shooting For The Stars - Barbara McGrady
Gomeroi Yinnah photojournalist and 2020 Sydney Biennale artist, Barbara McGrady reaches for the hoop.
Ilford Fp4, black and white, 35mm film, Nikon F2AS.
*click on image for full screen view