Gomeroi Yinnah photojournalist and 2020 Sydney Biennale artist, Barbara McGrady reaches for the hoop.
Ilford Fp4, black and white, 35mm film, Nikon F2AS.
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Claire
Photoshoot with the lovely Claire.
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Raymond and Christine's Wedding
Photographs of Raymond and Christine Weatherall’s wedding at McMahon’s Point.
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Djab Wurrung Embassy
Images from the Djab Wurrung Embassy, just outside Ararat in Victoria’s south west.
The protest camp and embassy was set up by Djab Wurrung man, D.T. Zellanach and partner Amanda 12 months ago to protect ancient birthing and other sacred trees which Vic Roads want to bulldoze to make way for the expansion of the Great Western Highway.
Last month, a large police presence was told to stand down in lieu of an application to the Federal court to appeal the decision of the Federal Environment minister to reject a heritage order protecting the trees, some of which are estimated to be more than 800 years old. In total, around 260 trees are earmarked for destruction. The trees are culturally significant to the Djab Wurrung people.
The Embassy is seeking assistance of all kinds to support their cause, including an online petition and help on site stationing at the Embassy.
Update, July 2019: In breaking news, as the decision of the Federal Court is about to be released, founder of the Embassy, D.T. Zellanach has just been arrested and removed from the Embassy. He is currently in lock-up in Melbourne and has been refused bail. Protesters are camped outside the lock-up demanding his release.
Update, 22nd of August 2019: The Federal Court did not uphold the appeal to place a heritage order on the trees. As a result, Vic Roads placed an eviction order on the campsites. Police and workers are on the cusp of moving in to clear the camp, fell the trees and begin roadworks. In the last days, more than 200 people have travelled to the Embassy to protect the site. D.T. Zellanach has called on more supporters to gather at the Embassy. Stay tuned for more news from this frontline.
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Stop Adani Convoy - Canberra
Yesterday, 5,000 people turned up to Parliament House in Canberra as the final leg of the Stop Adani Convoy wound up. Organised through the Bob Brown Foundation, the convoy travelled to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Clermont in Central Queensland.
The event kicked off with a smoking ceremony at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy with attendees then marching up to the lawns in front of Parliament House.
Speakers at the rally called on both major parties to halt the giant Adani mine, scheduled to be one of the largest coal mines in the world. The rally featured a range of speakers including writer Richard Flanagan, student activists Tahlia Mullins and Tess Carlton, traditional owner from the Babinburra clan of the Wangan and Jagalingou People of Central Queensland Adrian Burragubba, musician Paul Kelly and ex-Greens leader and environmental activist, Bob Brown.
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Frontiers War Commemoration
Images from today’s annual ANZAC Day Frontiers Wars March to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Ngunnawal, commemorating Aboriginal deaths during the Frontiers Wars.
The Frontiers Wars marks the series of resistance wars between various Aboriginal peoples and invading British forces from 1770 onwards. Estimates of Aboriginal deaths resulting from these wars range, conservatively, anywhere from 20,000 to 65,000. Some estimate a far greater toll, into the millions.
The Frontiers Wars March is not recognised by official ANZAC Day proceedings, and so the contingent is not allowed to participate in the march up to the War Memorial along side Australian troops. Instead, they march behind the offical parade and must wait behind a fenced off area until they are permitted to lay a wreath along side the general public once the ANZAC Day proceedings come to an end.
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Smoking at the Embassy for Those Passed
Leslie John Coe, (Wiradjuri-Ngunnawal), Alfred Walker (Yuin) and Daniel Boney (Gomeroi) were honoured today at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy fire.
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Shhhhh! 4
Photos from the 4th 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.
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Ayesha
Legendary drag performer, long-time Les Girls member and Kings Cross identity, Ayesha.
Images taken in the studio and at home.
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Palm Sunday Rally - Free The Refugees
Images from the annual Palm Sunday Rally. This year the plight of refugees was again the focus of the march, with condemnation of both Coalition and Labor party policies.
About 5,000 people gathered at Belmore Park in Sydney’s CBD for the protest. After an Acknowledgement of Country by Wiradjuri woman, Bronwyn Penrith, and songs from the Solidarity Choir, speakers followed, including ex-Socceroo captain, Craig Foster, unionist Judith Wright, ministers of religions, Father Claude Mostowik, Father Shenouda Mansour and Reverend John Barr, anti-nuclear campaigner, Dr Vince Scappatura, journalist, Dr Anna Broinowski and human rights advocate, Hazara and former refugee, Shukufa Tahari.
The crowd, including a large contingent of medical students, then marched down Broadway to Victoria Park, where further speeches were given.
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Kandi With Sea Shells
Regular beach comber, Kandi, with a collection of sea shells, Cronulla, Sydney.
Shot on film with a Hasselblad 503CXi, Ilford FP4, Black and White, 120mm film, Carl Zeiss Planar T* 80mm lens.
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Barbara McGrady Double Exposed
I accidentally double exposed this shot on my Hasselblad while shooting some off the cuff portraits of Gomeroi photojournalist and 2019 Sydney Biennale artist, Barbara McGrady.
I quite like it because of its serendipity but also because it reflects the multi-faceted, complex person that Barbara is, operating as she does between many worlds.
Shot on a Hasselblad 503 CXi, Kodak Porta 160 colour film, quick and nasty digital scan.
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Barbara and Alkira
A few quick portraits of Gomeroi photojournalist, Barbara McGrady and grand-daughter, Alkira, hanging out in Glebe, Sydney.
Shot on film with a Hasselblad 503CXi, Ilford FP4, Black and White, 120mm film, Carl Zeiss Planar CFi T* 80mm lens.
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Vittorio Bianchi
A portrait of long-time local identity Vittorio Bianchi, or simply ‘Vitto’ as most know him, who has been working for 50 years at the Piccolo Bar, Sydney’s longest running cafe in Kings Cross.
Shot on film with a Hasselblad 503CXi, Ilford FP4, Black and White, 120mm film, Carl Zeiss Planar T* 80mm lens.
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Haka For Christchurch
Maori and other Pacific Islander communities came together today at Circular Quay in Sydney to perform a haka in dedication to the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack and to the Muslim communities both in New Zealand and here in Australia.
Today’s proceedings were opened with a smoking ceremony performed by an Aboriginal contingent.
Speakers spoke out against “racism, terrorism and the uglies of the world”.
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Shhhhh! Theatre Performance, Kings Cross
Images from the the third ‘Shhhhh!’ performance in Kings Cross - a silent performance for a silent audience. Social and political theatre examining Sydney’s lock out laws and extreme over-policing regime.
Produced by Vashti Hughes and featuring Piccolo Claire, Paul Walker, Di Busuttil, Marty Jay, Jude Bowler and Vittorio.
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Candlelight Vigil for the Victims of the Christchurch Terrorist Attack, Sydney
Last night, around 1500 people turned up to Sydney Town Hall Square to hold a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack in New Zealand, which took place one week ago today and in which 50 people were killed, and just as many wounded.
After an Acknowledgement to Country by Wiradjuri woman, Anne Weldon, a minute’s silence was held, before the crowd listened to speakers from across different faiths and backgrounds. Included were Imam Farhan Khalil (Hills District Muslim Society), Dr. Naesrine Basheer (University of Sydney), journalist Majida Abboud Saab, the Reverend Bill Crews from the Exodus Foundation and Vic Alhadeff from the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies.
All speakers spoke out against the rising tide or racism, Islamophobia and intolerance.
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Solidarity with Christchurch Muslims: Unite against Islamophobia
Around 1,000 people braved the rain last Sunday to express their support for the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attack and the broader Muslim community. Speakers spoke out against racism and Islamophobia outside the New Zealand consulate in central Sydney.
Trying my hand here at shooting a protest rally on analogue film in tricky low light, wet conditions.
35mm black and white Kodak Tri-X film & FujiPro 400, Nikon F2AS
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School Strike 4 Climate
Over 25,000 students walked out of class in Sydney today to protest against political inaction against climate change.
The students gathered at Town Hall where speakers demanded a voice in the future of the environment, including halting the Adani Carmichael mine in Queensland, earmarked to be one of the world’s largest coal mines.
A contingent of Aboriginal students travelled from Walgett in Western NSW to tell the crowd about the devastating effect of the lack of water flows to their town.
Speakers from Pacific Island nations, at the frontline of global sea level rises, also featured.
Students set out on a march through the city’s streets which ended in Hyde Park.
It was estimated that around 150,000 students participated in similar strikes across Australia, which coincided with similar student marches across the world.
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Holi Festival - Parramatta
Holi, the Hindu Spring celebration - a Festival of Colour and Love - was marked yesterday at Parramatta by Australia’s Indian and subcontinental communities.
Parramatta, Burramattagal, Dharug, Sydney.
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