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Edge of the Outback 2009
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Home > Professional Development > Edge of the Outback 2009.
In late 2008 I was appproached by Danielle Hobbs from the Mildura campus of Latrobe University to participate in a program to take students from, North America to the Austalian Outback for a cultural and photographic exploration of the South Western Regions of New South Wales and the north western regions of Victoria. The program is called The Edge of the Outback.
Originally I had planned to blog as I went, about the experience that involved 22 North American students, being taken to places such as Mutawintji National Park, Mungo National Park, Broken Hill & Silverton. Time and technological barriers beyond my control inhibited this. As a consequence this static page will form a record of the 3 weeks I spent on the program, along with links to photos from the trip. I didn't make as many images as I had planned because it became obvious very quickly that helping the students in the field turned into my main priority.
The trip was fast exciting exhaustive and real challenge for my teaching and technical skills. The students proved to intelligent, engaging and good fun. I was amazed at how much the personalities of each student shifted and changed over the 3 weeks that I worked with them. As always, even the seemingly quiet ones had come out of their shells by the 2nd week.
Sunday, the 12th of July 2009
I drove up on the Sunday before the program began. The drive was pleasent and uneventful. On the way I stopped to make some images at a salt pan I had been eyeing off since I first started driving up there with Nikki. This of course put my arrival later than I had anticipated, and I then proceeeded to get get lost. Eventually after driving backward and forward for some time, I caved in and rang Danielle, to get directions. Finally I arrived safely and settled for a fine even of engaging chat and great beer.
Monday, the 13th of July 2009
Talk about hitting the ground running. The day was fast paced and hectic, "here's this" "here's that", "this is located here". See that? That is the IT department stuck somewhere around 1995; imho. Spent most ofthe day looking at the photographic systems in place, both digital and analogue, and how they might be improved, as well as some minor darkroom equipment repairs. A brief sit down at the computers in the lab had me realise my normal virtual existence was to be pushed aside for the next 3 weeks. it wasn't as painful as I first thought it would be, either.
Dinner tonight was at Stefano's, got to see all the students together, and hear their brief introductions. The food was good. There was a small presentation, about the history of the area and I learnt quite a lot about aspects of Mildura, I'd never, heard of before.
Tuesday, the 14th of July 2009
Back at the TAFE setting things up and getting ready for the student's first roll of film, tomorrow. The students were all set loose with a camera and asked to share a roll, of film between them which they later processed. Some minor disasters, which is typical in these situations, but other wise all was ok.
Wednesday, the 15th of July
We to head off to a couple of closeby state and national parks, [Hattah Kulkyne, and Murray Sunset], to practise some shooting. The students are delighted to see some wildlife, and photograph accordingly. I am delighted that the Murray Sunset National park has an old gypsum mine on it, some of the students even found some wrecked cars at lunch time when we stopped for lunch. The light was quite good all day, a typical day in winter really, perfect for digital.
Thursday, the 16th of July
Today was the first 'real' class, split the group into two. Analogue and Digital. Each group Downloaded and oganised their work to date. The network administration was a bit behind with logins, it was eventually sorted out thank heavens. The VGA adapter, was not in the room, so lucky I brought mine. I set a small project and had to copy via USB to my computer to then project and discuss.
Friday, the 17th July
Off to Mungo National Park. Weather has been generally good some rain, a day or so ago. Layers are definitely the go, it is very cold in the mornings. The bus has no rubbish bags, and lot's of mandarines, as a consequence the students think it's ok to toss mandarine peels out the windows of the bus, I try to organise a rubbish bag.
Everywhere the ground cover is greener than I expected, apprently there has been some unseasonal rain, this is good. The bus ride seemed to be a bit quick to Mungo and much seems to have changed, since I was there last lot's set-up for tourism. A 4 star hotel, a camping ground and a very informative information centre.
We arrived at about 3:00pm, then after unpacking, headed off for a short drive. We headed out to ‘The Walls of China’ to see and photograph the sunset. It was indeed a great sunset! What I'm struggling the most with here, personally and professionally, is the inability to switch between teaching mode and creative mode, perhaps that is not a bad thing. The cabins here are comforatably appointed, the male staff are all in one cabin. I scored the double bed. We had a meal of pasta and sauce for dinner, afterwards, I got a few students to do a shoot, painting with light after dinner. Taking sparklers and other lights would make it bit more interesting; next time. Sat around the camp fire, listening to Peter Peterson's life story, and talking to a few students, most of whom straggled off to bed. Peter and I were the last to bed, unusual — for me.
Saturday, the 18th of July
Up at Five AM! Managed to gobble down some cereal and a cup of tea. The Bus out to the Walls of China is very quiet. I'm Not looking forward to the long drive later today, and it seems we are carrying our pre-made lunch with us! Gloves are a necessity. Sunset seems to offer more than sunrise simply because, of the orientation of the walls themselves. Not convinced I will return here, or it is too difficult to seperate teaching from creative practice to make the experience one that I can really cut loose, creatively. Perhaps the landscape itself is just too daunting.We left for Broken Hill at Ten thirty. Many folks were still tired from the early rise and slept for most of the ride.
At about one thirty, an Emu is hit by the bus, Peter deals with it. My reaction almost overwhelms me.
Arrived in Broken Hill, checked into the famous Mario's Hotel, it is as every bit as tacky as it looks in Priscilla Queen of The Desert, AWESOME! Must return with nick and camera and tripod and make some good film images. We ended the day at Silverton where I shot some film. I am feeling a bit more inspired here, liking the idea of a minimalist flat plane containing a man altered landscape. Taken out to dinner at the Astro in Broken Hill very nice food and good service. Thanks again Neil and Latrobe University.
Sunday, the 19th of July.
First thing this morning a quick dash out to Scuplutre park. [ I learned you can rent the keys to get early access or late access and drive right up to the top. Worth considering for a future visit.]
Shot some digital, and a little film at the park but again, without the right gear and mindset all you are doing is photographing some one else's work. The flatness all around except for the piles of dirt aroudn Broken hill make it very difficult to make an image. I think that on the long trips/walks from now on I will only take digital.
Showered and coffees before departing, for Mutawintji. I backed up some student work to 2 hard drives this morning over coffee.
Spent the day on a short drive to Mutawintji settled in then went on a walk to Split rock Gorge. This area is stunning, I must revisit. BBQ for dinner washed down with beer. The students by now are getting to know one another quite well and relax in our presence. Some however relaxed a little too much. But all in all no harm done.
Monday, the 20th of July
Cultural talk today. Learnt lot's about Aboriginail Culture and the white impact on the ara, and a little about Major Mitchell's poor behaviour. The harsh landscape was overwhelming as was the ligt so I shot very little. My turn to cook, with Geoff. We made a curry, it was delicious yet laborious. My major contribution, thinking of getting a zip lock bag and using a hammer to crush the spices, as a mortar and pestle had been forgotten. Finished the day with a movie 'Tracker' not bad, a minimalist film in many ways yet full of the harshness of the Australian bush. I was still backing up student work and there are some good pieces so far.
Tuesday, the 21st of July
Up early. Copied some more student work onto Latrobe's hard drive
Today is the planned day of the long walk, we all packed lunches and water, and scrogan. The walk itself is pretty stunning. Worth a seperate trip some day. A light tripod and medium format is doable and winter light is good too. While I made some good images, it's unlikely they'll go much beyond a web presence as, that kind of landscape is not where I am at these days.
The last night of the trip is traditionally a cultural night, run by Peter .During Peter's 'cultural' night three cameras got covered in flour. Thankfully I had the common sense to put away my computer gear as I had been burning DVD's for students. Didn't actually finish the backing up because Jessica found the local tip with some real old cars and all sorts of crap.
This would be my ongoing body of work if I was to return.
Wednesday, the 22nd of July
Up at 06:00 to shoot more of the tip. It started to rain so I erred on the safe side and we all returned and packed. Departed for Mildura via Broken Hill on time at 09:00.
We had an emergency stop on the dirt road about 30 kilometers out of the National Park. Didn't turn out to be an issue. Continued on no problems and eventually hit Broken Hill
Broken Hill at 12 for lunch. Tired but relieved, of course students have been great, eager to learn and asking lots of questions. Doing my best to teach them all the best Aussie slang words I can. Organised to have a drink with the students in town tonight, as we've been in each other's pockets for 5 days now, it would seem strange to end the time together so abrubptly. We hit a couple of bars in then I headed off home.
Thursday - Tuesday
Spent the next few days teaching, with the students working diligently, I was pleased with the student's efforts their hard work paid off. It was hard yakka though, 8:00am - 6:00pm most days.
Wednesday, the 29th of July
Matting, framing, and spotting went surprisingly well today under the circumstances. Spent some time during the day on a paddle steamer, nice change of pace. Took photos of everyone with me on the steamer, which was fun! Went out for dinner as it was Lara's birthday, then had a few beers with the few students left standing, then home.
Thursday, the 30th of July
Geoff and Neil organised the hanging of th work which took all of about 10 minutes! We then spent the day assessing, which if I may say went rather smoothly.There were some suprises during assessment, which I guess is what teaching is about at one level. It was not been too difficult either to reach consensus with the other staff over marking which is good. I was a bit worried however I would get too emotional at the opening the last night. The work looks awesome on the walls, as it always does.
Friday, the 31st July
The last day of work, and assessment.
With les than 1/2 the students to go it was pretty much plain sailing. The opening was fabuloous the students all went flat out in getting dressed up, and looked great as a consequence.
Having done the trip once and now knowing what to expect, next trip I wil lbe approached things differently. The 'blad' may not even come, rather I will bring a high end point and shoot, I can now justify the purchase of a camera like a Canon G10. In fact a digital camera craft season perhaps could be squeezed in even. Allowing instant feed back on ideas such as DOF etc.
The remainder of the assessment went smoothly. Some minor tweaks were required at the end, but all went well.
Partied till 02:00 with Nath, Jessica, Anna, & Leah. They were still going strong when I left,it was good old school fun.
Saturday, the 1st of August
I flew home. My car was towed, on a car carrier. I slept most of the flight, in fact most of the day.
This whole experience has changed me in many ways, all terribly difficult to articulate, but I hope having had the oppurtunity to teach in a new, different environment I've been able to take a step back and re-evaluate my style, methods and approaches to teaching and interacting with people of all ages.
Thanks again to Danielle for asking me to come along, to Neil for allowing it, the other staff, both the Peters, Geoff and Lisa for putting up with my sense of humour and other personality traits, and last but not least to the students for making my time with them so enjoyable and rewarding!