australia

Lost Raintree Exhibition Opens in Former Sawmill …

… in a post here early June I told the story in words and pictures of the destruction of a magnificent raintree in the Cairns leafy green suburb of Freshwater. The place where I have lived for near thirty years is now less leafy and less green with the loss of this tree and it’s forty metre canopy to a developers’ plan for a duplex.

The Freshwater community … and in particular … the Freshwater Raintree Action Group waged a ten month campaign to try and stave off the trees destruction. Very sadly, after four days of tree lopping and despite various community protests at the site, the massive main trunk of the tree was felled at midday 3rd June.

However, the story hasn’t ended there …

Reaction to the destruction around Cairns was widespread and attracted massive media coverage. Over a coffee in the days following the loss of the tree, concerned campaigners Nic Sleeman and Diljá Pétursdóttir Thorpe, photographer colleague Kerry Trapnell and myself shared ideas on how to effectively mark the loss of the tree and, hopefully, minimise future significant tree destruction and advocate for more effective tree legislation.

The idea was born (a little seed sown) to create a major visual exhibition of the story of the raintree and the attempts to save it … documented with the images that Kerry and I had both created across the campaign. Fellow photographer Jon Westaway was enlisted for his photographs of the avian residents of the tree.

In Narrow Tracks Distillery … a former timber mill … we found a wonderful space (huge thanks to wonderful proprietors Doug and Bec !). We engaged environmental educator and Gardening Australia TV presenter Costa Georgiadis to fly up from Melbourne to open the show.

Miraculously, with the help of others concerned (in particular Shelley Wallace and Jane Simpson), we pulled the entire exhibition together in just a very short few hectic weeks. “Loved and Lost – the Story of the Freshwater Raintree” opened to a packed to the rafters house on Thursday July 16th last week. Costa starred at the opening and waxed lyrical about the importance of saving urban tree cover and significant trees. During his speech he singled out my image of the Freshwater School children continuously chanting “Save Our Tree” at the school fence whilst the tree was being destroyed … “Brian’s photo of those children putting their hands through the fence – if that doesn’t evoke some sort of human empathy then I think we need to check whether there’s oxygen in there … like, seriously”. Thank you Costa ! (see pics 3, 4 and video (5) below).

The entire exhibition contains eighteen of my images, twenty one of Kerry’s, four of Jon’s … and a collection of artifacts from the tree site including the messages written by school children and the community. It’s emotional but well worth a look, runs until Sunday 26th July … and the gin at Narrow Tracks is well worth sampling too !

Profuse Thanks goes to Garricks Camera House for brilliantly printing our work and to Temporary Fencing Hire for providing the fences to hang it.

Below are images and a video from the resulting Narrow Tracks show … from top … two of the sections of of the exhibition showing the works of myself and co-exhibitor Kerry Trapnell … (third) arguably my most emotional image of Freshwater school children chanting “Save Our Tree” whilst the tree was chain sawed … (fourth) environmental educator and Gardening Australia presenter Costa Georgiadis opens the exhibition to a packed crowd … and finally the video by Jen Frei of ArtMuse containing Costa’s comment (and a final comment by me ;-).

Images ©Brian Cassey … Video ©ArtMuse

Peter Falconio & Joanne Lees … 25 Years On …

… 25 years ago today, 14th July 2001, Brit tourist Peter Falconio was murdered on the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek NT. Falconio’s girlfriend Joanne Lees, bound with cable ties by the murderer, escaped the scene into the bush and hid for five hours before flagging down a road train.

The story exploded around the planet and gained momentum over the next near five years until Bradley John Murdoch was found guilty of Falconio’s murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

I spent a total of several months over those years covering the story in Barrow Creek, Alice Springs and Darwin working for Associated Press (AP), the UK Sunday Mirror, Fairfax papers and many other media outlets.

I made the very first image of Joanne after her abduction … a fortuitous single frame grainy grabbed image of Joanne in the front seat of a speeding unmarked police car leaving the crime scene re-enactment at Barrow Creek in total darkness. (in those days the ‘new’ digital cameras (in this case a Nikon D1) were absolutely terrible at images in bad light.)

I made portraits of Joanne when she first defiantly faced the media throng in Alice Springs … and was the only photographer to get a pic of her during the entire Darwin committal hearings stay when she arrived at Darwin airport from the UK in the early hours of the morning.  

All my Joanne encounters she documented in her eventual 2006 autobiographical true-crime book “Joanne Lees – No Turning Back”. When describing that first Barrow Creek police car encounter she states “a photographer jumped out in front of our car, risking his life to take a photograph of me, Senior Sergeant Turnbull only narrowly missed him”.

That’s her story – mine is a touch different 😉.

In a little twist, two of the photographs in Joanne’s book are mine … her arrival at that first media event and a pic of the crime re-enactment at Barrow Creek.

Below are five of my images … the first shot of Joanne after the murder, Joanne emotionally facing the first media event (X 2), the crime scene re-enactment … and a my pic of Joanne arriving in Darwin in the early hours of the morning for the committal.

Bradley John Murdoch died in custody without telling of the whereabouts of Peter Falconio’s body, coincidentally, a year ago tomorrow,

There’s much much more to this story and that’s what Google is for 🙂 … here’s just two of the links that contained my pics … here & here.

All Images © Brian Cassey

Mr Tobacco … and the Forgotten Far North Tobacco Industry …

Tobacco (illicit) is very much in the news lately … and that reminded me of the other REALLY big tobacco story way back in 2004.

A multiple decades long Australian primary industry closed for good in 2004 when the very last ever (legal) tobacco sale took place in Mareeba far north Queensland. At its peak, the Atherton Tablelands tobacco industry was valued around $50 million to the local economy with an estimated  800 growers. 

Remzi Mulla … famously known as Mr Tobacco … had being growing the leaf for forty years and as the Chairman of the North Queensland Tobacco Cooperative he had to oversee the demise of the industry that was then the lifeblood of the little township of Dimbulah.

I lucked across this portrait of Remzi in my archive recently. Think it says it all about a man who has spent near his whole life with the ‘baccy’. I made the pic (top below) in January 2012 for the Courier Mail when Remzi was at the opening of a new exhibit at the Mareeba Heritage Centre highlighting the past tobacco industry that bit the dust eight years earlier. The second image was made at that least tobacco sale in 2004 as the last leaf was sold … emotional grower centre is Glen Cagnola from Dimbulah.

(Personally, I’ve always thought the idea of rolling up leaves, setting them on fire and inhaling the smoke as a somewhat questionable and unwise pastime … I had my first … and last … taste of tobacco when peer pressured as an eleven year old schoolboy!).

Images © Brian Cassey

Tobias & Meningococcal … Update …

Tobias has turned two years old !

I first met Tobias and his mum Katie Moss six months ago when he was nineteen months old … fifteen months after Meningococcal Disease irreparably and terrifyingly changed his little life.

Born to mum Katie and dad Steven, at just four months old Tobias was struck with the deadly disease. Within hours of the onset he had been flown from Cairns to Townsville Paediatric Hospital by helicopter, had both arms, both legs amputated and twice, very nearly, lost his life. The paediatric surgeon said it was the most severe meningococcal case he had seen.

I was introduced to Tobias and mum Katie at a Clifton Beach cafe by photographer colleague and friend of the family Renee Ping in early December. There I broached the idea of visually documenting Tobias’ circumstances to tell the story of the families emotional journey and the challenges they’ve had to overcome in the months since the onset of the disease.

Must admit I was captivated by little Tobias from that first meeting.

Two weeks later the family invited me to their home with my cameras. Coincidentally, Tobias, in the few days prior, had learnt to sit unaided for the first time. I was fascinated to watch and interact with Tobias to make many images … and it was truly inspiring to see how he was developing and learning to adapt without the use of limbs. Tobias can now gently grasp a ball, can burst a bubble, loves splashing in water … and much more. Most impressive was seeing his obvious thought processes on how to try and make things work.

Mother Katie, father Steven and Tobias’s siblings Zakoa, Hunter and Baylee form a remarkable team, brilliantly guiding and nurturing their little son and brother along a most difficult path. I am in awe …

With the pics safely on my laptop I put Katie in touch with gun Courier Mail specialist ‘health’ rounds journo Jackie Sinnerton for the pair to document the story and contacted the Sunday Mail picture editor with the news that I already had the images.

The result ? … a front page pictorial pointer to a nice double page spread story and pics inside, just before Christmas. The Sunday Mail publication played a significant part in raising funds for the purchase of a larger vehicle to transport the whole family to Tobias’ frequent necessary hospital appointments.

None of my images below here were selected in that original publication and have not been ‘seen’ before … so I thought it timely to celebrate Tobias’ third year on the planet by featuring here a few more pics made last December.

Tobias … you rock ! (Huge Thanks also to the whole inspiring family.)

Images © Brian Cassey

40th Anniversary … Dire Straits … ‘Singing in the Rain’ …

This year sees the 40th Anniversary of Dire Straits ‘Brothers in  Arms’ World tour and 40 years since I made this image at their epic tropical storm drenched concert at the Cairns Showgrounds.

Dire Straits legendary outdoor Cairns concert happened on April 4, 1986 as part of their massive Brothers in Arms World tour.  The weather caused havoc. Tropical downpours swept the stage throughout the concert, completely drenching the instruments, equipment and the band members.  A plastic tarp over the stage filled with water and collapsed, taking out speakers. Equipment (including a keyboard) shorted out and a piano was destroyed. 

Despite this, the band members persevered … even changing the music set to include an impromptu rendition of “Singing the the Rain” … the only time the bands set was changed during the entire tour. The totally drenched Cairns crowd bravely and enthusiastically lapped it all up … many improvising with garbage bag raincoats.

This image I made of Mark Knopler and Jack Sonni at a rain splattered microphone was published across the whole front page of the Cairns Post and around the planet. Dire Straits themselves published my pic and the story of their Cairns concert drenching here … https://www.facebook.com/DireStraits/photos/on-4th-april-1986-dire-straits-performed-a-sell-out-outdoor-concert-at-cairns-sh/3351721198243226/.

Arguably, Cairns most unique, memorable and infamous music event ever !

If you fancy you can make a signed 18” X 12” copy of the photograph your own by visiting my shop at … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/shop/singing-in-the-rain-dire-straits-1986/ … (NB – signed by me – not Dire Straits I’m afraid .)

Image © Brian Cassey

Death of a Freshwater Tree … My Story and Images …

This is my story and photographs of the battle by Freshwater and Cairns residents to stop the destruction of a majestic much loved 80 year old raintree with a forty metre canopy.

I’ve covered major disasters, conflict and other disturbing and sometimes horrific stories around the planet … but never one as close to home (literally) and personal. The tree in question is/was situated just fifty metres from my driveway in the leafy ‘green’ suburb of Freshwater, adjacent to the local primary school. 

‘Our Tree’ was arguably the largest tree in the Cairns vicinity … at least 80 years old and a large part of the fabric of the community, population around 2500. I’ve walked or driven past this amazing tree almost every day for near thirty years. … have watched the school children (including mine) walk to and from school in its shade for decades … and watched the kookaburras, scrub turkeys, cockatoos both black and white and other wild life … play and/or perch in it.

All was right with the World … 

It was about eight months ago that the word on the ‘Freshie’ streets was that there was an application to demolish our beloved tree. The block … then containing an old shabby bessa block residence with asbestos content … was sold to a developer/doctor. He then applied for planning permission to build two investment ‘duplex’ buildings on the block which included the destruction of the community tree. (Surveys indicated that more than fifty percent of the trees footprint lay on public/council land.)

However, the planning department ticked off on the development which apparently then bi-passed Cairns councillors. 

This spawned the formation of the  Freshwater Raintree Action Group (FRAG) … a coalition of like minded intelligent driven individuals intent on saving this remarkable specimen.

For a while I was content that the situation was in very capable hands, that common sense would prevail and FRAG would obviously win over the council and the plan would be reversed/scrapped. (As a media member I felt it not good form to get involved in issues that may be of a ‘political’ nature … )

I also couldn’t believe that the developer (whose name I do know but won’t mention here) would actually continue to push his plan through knowing the massive backlash and disgust from so many of the population of Freshwater and the wider Cairns area. 

The whole thing came to a head just a couple of weeks ago. Word arrived that demolition was imminent and tree loppers contracted. FRAG had already instigated a court hearing that questioned the Councils planning procedures and that matter was scheduled for the following Friday … too late for the tree. With the help of a pro-bono lawyer FRAG went to court and won an injunction to stop the destruction for 48 hours. However, a second injunction failed and FRAG … facing legal costs that may have run into ‘millions’ were forced to cancel further proceedings.

On the first day of June AA Taylors Treelopping from Atherton descended on Freshwater to carry out the execution. FRAG members, local residents and many others from around Cairns … arrived to voice their protest. Many were visibly hurting and many were very angry. The police physically hauled away half a dozen protestors from the tree with one arrested.

However, arguably the most distressing and emotional response came from the Freshwater Primary School children directly across from the tree. Before school, at morning break and at lunch, scores of children lined the school playground fence shouting “Save Our Tree, Save Our Tree” and attempting to pass notes to the loppers to stop killing their tree which has provided them with shade as they walked to and from school. A teacher I spoke to told me that the students were intent on having their voices heard. Many were very distressed. Disgustingly, some loppers laughed at the situation. (My top image below shows the children voicing their opinion at the fence without revealing identities.)

For four days straight I had to listen to the chainsaws from home as they ripped into the tree … the outer branches, the larger limbs and finally the massive trunk. Spent much of my time repeatably taking the short walk down to the tree with cameras in hand to document the trees ‘finality’ . Can honestly say I was distressed … and bloody angry. A constant stream of people from around the city came to pay their last respects.

Sadly it seems, despite my best efforts (and eventual surprise), that this story and its images were not snapped up by the wider Australian media. I was told several times that it was a ‘local issue’ … despite ‘tree removal’ being a nation wide current topic, notably in southern Queensland and in South Australia. I did manage to get some traction with my pics featuring in news and opinion outlets ‘InDaily’ and ‘The Point’ and they may be found here, here … and here …

There is much, much more to this story … it’s ramifications and the inevitable range of opinion … but this is my tale that I feel the need to tell. If you got this far ‘Thanks’ for reading and I hope the images resonate.

Images © Brian Cassey

‘Winning’ at The Percivals …

… really nice to get a ‘WIN’ of sorts at the The Percival Portrait Prize in Townsville on the weekend.

On Saturday eve my portrait of highly respected Australian artist Tony Clark … made in his tin shed studio at Mission Beach whilst he prepared works for his massive “Unsculpted” exhibition in Melbourne last year … was announced as Runner-Up and ‘Highly Commended’ in the photographic portrait prize. (Top image and third image below.)

The biennial Percival Portrait Prize announcement opening eve at the historic Perc Tucker Gallery was packed to the rafters with invited attendees and a terrific event. The prize has grown massively in stature since its inception way back in 2007 and now attracts art works from Australia’s most talented creatives. The prize is split into three sections … portrait painting, photographic portraiture and animal portraits.

This year the three prizes were judged by very prestigious art experts. The photographic prize was judged by the delightful Serena Bentley … vastly experienced Senior Curator at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra (bottom pic at Saturdays opening). Many Thanks, Serena, for selecting my work “Unsculpted – Australian Artist Tony Clark” to a second place. (It was pleasure being interviewed briefly by Serena during Sunday mornings ‘Judges Talks’.)

The painting prize was judged by renowned art historian, critic and curator Sasha Grishin, who took pains to declare the Percivals painted works more favourable this year than the Archibalds ! Respected art lecturer Ron McBurnie had the fun job of selecting the best of the animal portrait entries.

I also had a further exhibit on the Percival walls. A photographic portrait I’m very fond of featuring friend and subject David Glasheen (who we have sadly recently lost to this World), entitled “Millionaire Castaway”, was also selected as a finalist. (Image 2 below.)

Tasmanian Cassandra McMahon beat me to the $10,000 acquisitive Percival Photographic Portrait Prize with her great work “Empty Vessel”, whilst Elena Churilova collared the painting portrait prize of $40,000 with her work “Smartphonisation”. ‘Animals’ winner was Catherine Stewart with “Eye On The Weather”.

A great and rewarding weekend and well worth the visit to our ‘lesser’ neighbour down the coast 😉 .

Thank you to the Townsville City Council who do an amazing job administering the very special awards … and to the great staff of the Perc Tucker Gallery (special mention for curatorial assistant Chloe Lausen – in 3rd pic below installing the exhibition – from the Townsville Bulletin) … to the judges (in particular photographic judge Serena – bottom pic at the opening) … not forgetting the many artists, friends, family and interested parties who made the weekend so special.

(Oh yes … satisfyingly, it’s now five times in a row that my work has been featured amongst the Percival finalists … and you may see my previous selected portraits here … 2024, 2022, 2020, 2018.)

Images … top two and bottom © Brian Cassey … news image © Evan Morgan & Townsville Bulletin

“Snow” & the Dodho Portrait Awards …

… always a rewarding experience to have a ’new’ image recognised and published nicely in a large format quality hard cover book. This portrait of “Snow” has just been selected at #8 of the Top 25 images in the 2026 Dodho Portrait Awards. The International awards recognises portraits that have “originality, visual impact, and compelling artistic vision”.

I met “Snow” whilst on assignment for Australian Geographic at the ‘Winds of Zenadth’ cultural festival on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait last September. Uncle Saila ‘Snow’ Savage is a Kaurareg Elder and the partner to Betty Mabo, daughter of the historic Murray Island legend Eddie Mabo. “Snow” … as the locals call him … is an utterly charming character and great visual subject matter. 

The Dodho awards are the work of the people at Dodho Magazine … an independent International photography publication of some renown. based in Barcelona and “born with the vocation to promote the work and projects of photographers from all over the world”.

It’s the fourth year in a row that I’ve been fortunate enough to have scored a recognition and publication in their Portrait prize … whilst my work has also made an impression in their other category awards (Fine Art, Color and Monochromatic) regularly over the past years. 

Top here below is this years Dodho Portrait selected work of “Snow” … whilst below are my three previous Dodho Portrait works … “Do Not Resuscitate – Peter “Potter” Thompson (2024), “100 Years & 3 Weeks – Alf Neal OAM” (2023) and “The Skin I’m In II – Carol Mayer” (2025).

Dodho also produce wonderful hard cover books showcasing the work of their selected photographers. Thanks Dodho … happy you are not extinct ! … and Thanks “Snow” !

The 2026 Dodho portrait publication “Portrait – The Best Photographs 2026” will be published and on sale in June.

Image © Brian Cassey

2026 Dodho Magazine Portrait Awards - International - Top 25 (#8) & Finalist - “Snow - Torres Strait Elder Saila ‘Snow’ Savage” - (and published in the hard cover volume “Portrait - The Best Photographs 2026”) Image by Brian Cassey"Snow" ... Saila "Snow" Savage is a prominent Torres Strait Island Australia personality and partner to Betty Mabo, daughter of the historic Murray Island figure Eddie Mabo.
2026 Dodho Magazine Portrait Awards - International - Selected images from the awards by Brian Cassey in years 2023, 2024 and 2025. ©BrianCassey

20th March … Category 5 Cyclones … Larry (2006) & Narelle (2026) … 

Twenty years ago today, 19th March 2006, category 5 Cyclone Larry was zeroing in on Innisfail, just like Cat 5 Cyclone Narelle is arrowing in on Coen Cape York Peninsula, landfall tomorrow. 

At daybreak on that Friday the 20th March ‘06 Larry barrelled into the township and across much of the Cassowary Coast, leaving devastation and ruined lives in it’s wake.

Working for newspaper media, I arrived in a peaceful Innisfail on the 19th and booked into the Riverside Motel … only half of that motel survived the cyclones hammering. Wind gusts, some over 240 km/h, made short work of infrastructure across a large area between Cairns and Townsville.

The story of Cyclone Larry kept me occupied for many months after that fateful emotionally and physically exhausting day. Here (below) I’m featuring just some of the many images I made showing the extent of the cyclone damage and the stoicism of the people of far north Queensland. They were published widely and syndicated around the planet.

It appears that the inhabitants of the Coen area may well tomorrow experience cyclonic winds in excess of Larry’s 240 km/h … and I have a first hand understanding of what that will mean for them.  I wish them luck and safety … 

Images © Brian Cassey 2006 … From Top … Kate Charleston emerges bloodied from her destroyed Innisfail home … an Innisfail resident tries making a phone call from the wreck of her home … 68 year old Clotilda Lazzarich under the remnants of her Mourilyan home … residents inspect the remains of their Innisfail home … the view from the Riverside Motel Innisfail during the passage of Cyclone Larry … Carol Milini in her saturated roofless Innisfail home … shattered buildings in the township of Mourilyan … a destroyed house near Babinda … Percy (73) and Faye Lowe (69) salvage trinkets from their unroofed Babinda home … as Larry abates Innisfail residents in shock explore the damage to their Innisfail township … a young family leave their destroyed home at Mission Beach … at this InnisfaIl home the only thing left standing was the ‘dunny’ … Judy Stevens salvages essentials from her roofless kitchen …

Blast From the Past … Northern Beachcomber … Off to Cairns Historical Society …

Way, WAY back in the late 80’s a handful of disenchanted The Cairns Post staff and contributors changed editorial track and published a new Cairns newspaper specifically catering to the northern beach suburbs communities.

The weekly ‘Northern Beachcomber’ became a reality in 1989 produced by the tiny team of Geoff Cooke (Editor), wife Rhonda Cooke (Reception & Admin), Pam Cooke (Typesetter), journalists Cat Atkins (Lindsay) and later Margo Nugent (Zlotkowski) … with myself producing all the photography. (NB … back in those days I was a shy young pup and all my photographs were published under my by-line ‘Sport ‘n’ Life Pictures’ ! )

For three years the ‘Beachcomber’ … Initially printed in Port Douglas … became an integral part of the beaches community and regularly broke stories regarding the colourful residents of the Cairns northern beach suburbs and anything specific to the area.

A thorn in the side of the Cairns Post until in 1992 News Ltd chose to ‘buy’ the ’Northern Beachcomber’ to nullify the opposition. The Post then ran the ‘Northern Beachcomber’ for a short while before closing it.

I must have known something back in those days as I carefully hoarded TWO copies of each edition in boxes under the house ! Coming across them a little while ago I offered a complete set of the newspaper to the Cairns Historical Society, who gladly snapped them up for historical reference and preservation ! They can now be accessed on request (I believe) at the Cairns Museum in the School of Arts building, corner of Lake and Shields Streets.

Just in time for the upcoming Cairns 150th Anniversary later this year …

Below is a small selection of ‘Northern Beachcomber front covers and back pages featuring some of my favourite images published back in 1989-1992.

Images in Northern Beachcomber publications © Brian Cassey

Dodho ‘Fine Art’ … Again …

… really cool to once again be selected as a ’Top 25’ Finalist’ in the International Dodho Photography ‘Fine Art’ Awards … and soon to be published in their wonderful hard cover beautifully produced volume “Fine Art – The Best Photographs”. The work selected in the collection is one I am fond of … “Rain Over Black Mountain” … which I was lucky enough to make a few years back from an aircraft just before landing in Cooktown.

The pic (top) has a little bit of history  too …

It was selected as a ‘Finalist’ in the highly prestigious (but now sadly no more) ‘Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize’. It was also a feature of my latest little exhibition “Achromatic” at ‘The Hound’ bar in Edge Hill late last year.

I’m a bit of a fan of Dodho’s support of photographers’ work in their awards and their great books … they seem to attract a really high level of imagery and do a great job of featuring beautiful images from some of the best photographers from around the planet on their website and in their publications. It’s the third time in a row I’ve been fortunate to feature in these ‘Fine Art’ awards and book. The 2024 and 2023 selected images are also here and very different in subject and concept to this years … “Mother Africa – Aurora” (below left) and “Bonn – Asking the Question” (below right).

Currently have nine Dodho volumes containing my images across the variety of Portraiture, Color, Fine Art and Monochrome … and this latest will make it a nice round ‘ten’ 🙂 … Thanks Dodho !

You can see the all new Dodho ‘Fine Art’ finalists here … https://www.dodho.com/winners-fine-art-awards/ 

Image © Brian Cassey

NEW … Perth Head On Photo Festival … and “Paper Tigers” …

… two pieces of exciting Head On news !!

Firstly … the Head On Photo Festival soon arrives in PERTH for the first time. Secondly … one of the featured exhibitions in the new Perth Festival is “Paper Tigers” … the significant exhibition (and book) of the work of Australian based photojournalists co-curated/collected by Head On’s Moshe Rosenvzeig OAM and myself !

The new festival launches on 31st January and runs through till the 1st of March … and showcases world class photography exhibitions in venues around the city … amongst them “Paper Tigers”, the “Head On Portrait Prize” and the new WA specific “WA Life Photo Awards”.

This will be the fifth showing of the “Paper Tigers” work of 60 photojournalists … a collection of recent historic and memorable journalistic imagery by Australia’s best.It was first exhibited at the 2020 Head On Photo Festival (during Covid) at the Twenty Twenty Six Gallery in Bondi. Subsequently, it has graced the Delmar Gallery in Ashfield Sydney (2022), The Muse Gallery in Ultimo Sydney (2023) and the Court House Gallery in Cairns (2025).

In Perth “Paper Tigers” will prominently hang in The Foyer, Palace Tower on Saint Georges Terrace. Definitely worth a first, second or fifth look !

Below … (if really needed) … is a teaser image of seven of the sixty images that comprise “Paper Tigers” … clockwise from twelve o’clock … my image of beaten asylum seeker Abdullahtif on Manus Island (©Brian Cassey), ©Ashley Crowther, ©David Dare Parker, ©Eddie Safarik, ©Stephen Dupont, ©Nick Moir and ©Dean Sewell.

Thanks to all our contributing “Paper Tigers” photojournalists … Alex Coppel, Andrew Chapman, Angela Wylie, Ashley Crowther, Barbara McGrady, Ben Bohane, Brendan Beirne, Brian Cassey, Chris Hopkins, Craig Golding, Craig Greenhill, Darrian Traynor, Dave Tacon, David Dare Parker, David Gray, Dean Lewins, Dean Sewell, Delly Carr, Eddie Safarik, Edwina Pickles, Gerrit Fokkema, Glenn Campbell, Glenn Lockitch, Grant Wells, Helga Salwe, Ilana Rose, Jaime Murcia, Jake Nowakowski, Janie Barrett, Jessica Hromas, John Donegan, John French, Justin McManus, Louise Kennerley, Luis Ascui, Mark Crusty Baker, Martine Perret, Max Mason Hubers, Meredith O’Shea, Merv Bishop, Michael Amendolia, Michael Coyne, Moshe Rosenzveig OAM, Nic Walker, Nick Moir, Nicola Bailey, Noel Butcher, Paul Blackmore, Penny Stephens, Peter Solness, Richard Wainwright, Rick Stevens, Rob Maccoll, Robert McFarlane, Simon O’Dwyer, Stephen Dupont, Sylvia Liber, Tim Page, Tobias Titz, Tracey Nearmy.

Then there’s the sad bit 🙁 … I won’t be there !  Have had a trip back to Blighty and Europe planned for some time for the entire month of February !

Damn … 

Images ©

Atlas of Humanity … Paris 2026 …

… lovely to have a couple of images … one new and one old … selected by “Atlas of Humanity” and to be exhibited in Paris later this new year.

“Atlas of Humanity” is an international imaging project based around the UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity and uses quality photographs to document cultural and ethnic diversity around the planet.

My two selected images  … “Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman – Dominic” – & – “Gama Warrior Woman – Tsumeriyah” … will feature in the event “ImageNation Paris 2026” at the Galerie Joseph Le Palais, one of the most beautiful galleries in the very heart of the Marais quarter central Paris just a few steps from the iconic Centre Pompidou. The exhibition … scheduled during Paris Photo Week in November … will feature my Dominic portrait framed large on the walls … whilst the Tsumeriyah work will be projected and online.

My portrait of Dominic Ngakyunkwokka as he returned to camp from an Aak Puul Ngantam mustering operation out from Aurukun, Cape York Peninsula, was made some years back and won a Head On Portrait Prize. 

My second portrait of Tsumeriyah Zuwi’e was made fairly recently at the the Papua New Guinea fiftieth anniversary of independence celebrations at Munro Martin Park in Cairns. Tsumeriyah is a member of the tiny Gama (Kama) tribe of Gahuku near Goroka in the PNG Highlands. Her people, who speak the Alekano language, are struggling to survive in the 21st century environment.

Many Thanks to Tsumeriyah and Dominic … and to Martin Vegas of Atlas of Humanity.

Images © Brian Cassey

Tobias …

… this past week I had the very real privilege and pleasure to meet … and photograph … little twenty month old Tobias and his family.

The story of Tobias is heart breaking and, at the same time, miraculous and inspiring. In August 2024 at age of four months he was struck by the meningococcal disease. Within hours of the onset he had been flown from Cairns to Townsville Paediatric Hospital by helicopter, had lost both arms, both legs and twice, very nearly, his life. Paediatric surgeon Dr Harry Stalewski said he had never seen a meningococcal case so severe.

I learnt of the terrible plight and journey of Tobias from a photographer colleague and family acquaintance. A couple of weeks ago Renee Ping arranged an introduction to little Tobias and his delightful mother Katie to discuss the possibility of documenting the heart-rending story. After conferring with husband Steven the couple came to the decision that ‘it was time’. I put them in touch with health specialist journalist Jackie Sinnerton and arranged to make the images to accompany Jackie’s eventual piece.

The story has now been published in today’s print edition of The Sunday Mail and also online accompanied by some of the many images I made of Tobias and his family during our photo sessions.

I was fascinated to watch and interact with Tobias to make those many images … and it was truly inspiring to see how he was developing and learning to adapt without the use of limbs. Tobias can now gently grasp a ball, can burst a bubble, loves splashing in water, can sit upright unaided … and more. Most impressive was seeing his obvious thought processes on how to try and make things work.

To say I have a huge soft spot for Tobias is a great understatement !

Mother Katie, father Steven and Tobias’s siblings Zakoa, Hunter and Baylee form a remarkable team, brilliantly guiding and nurturing their little son and brother along a most difficult path. I am in awe …

Not wanting to repeat too much of Jackie’s’ ‘words’ in todays issue, may I suggest shelling out the four dollars odd on the printed paper or catching the story, photographs and videos ‘online’ at … https://www.couriermail.com.au/health/how-cairns-baby-tobias-phineasa-survived-meningococcal-to-inspire-his-family/news-story/51711139b6d1179f2ebdef2afec3552a

The top photo is the image that I am most fond of from the hundreds I made of Tobias. However, the paper preferred to go with the other pic that you may see on the screen grabs below of pages 1, 4 and 5.

Oh Yes … the family have to make frequent road trips from Cairns to Townsville for Tobias’s treatment … but their vehicle is too small for all of them. The FNQ Youth Assistance Fund is organising fund raising to finance a larger vehicle. If you can help please donate at … https://www.fnqyaf.org.au/youth-support/donations/ … by selecting ‘Wheels for Tobias’ under ‘Donation Type*’. Thanks !!

Images © Brian Cassey, publication © The Sunday Mail

What A Lot of Croc …

… meet “Bronto” … the NEW ‘Big Boy’ at Marineland Melanesia on Green Island, Great Barrier Reef … 4.7 metres of croc attitude !

I made this image … very carefully … of “Bronto”, during a recent days work documenting the family owned croc park and reef tourism venture on Green Island, Great Barrier Reef.
“Bronto”, raised by the late croc icon George Craig from a hatchling 55 years ago, has long lived in the shadow of infamous record holding “Cassius”, who lived at the park until his sad death just over a year ago at age estimated over 110. “Cassius” had for many years held the title of the World’s largest captive crocodile at 5 48metres.
“Bronto” now steps into the starring role and snappy attraction …

This week also marks the return of “Cassius” (in an inanimate form) to the island park, following a magnificent job of taxidermy. “Cassius” now shares his own brand new room at Marineland Melanesia with memorabilia of his life and achievements … and details of the wonderful relationship that he shared with George over several decades.
In a poignant twist both “Cassius” and George passed away within a just a couple of weeks of each other in November 2024. The new exhibit at Marineland pays tribute to both the wonderful characters who shared an incredible connection. Well worth a visit …

I’ve been fortunate over the decades to have often photographed “Cassius” and George at Marineland. George was always a fascinating gentleman and “Cassius” a willing partner. I was there in 2011 when the ‘Guinness Book of Records’ acknowledged the World record for “Cassius” … and I was there to document the last time that George hand fed his massive mate back in 2023. On that last visit I also made a portrait of George, sitting quietly in his favourite chair amongst his amazing massive collection of Papua New Guinea art works … one of my favourite images.

 Now is the time for “Bronto” and his saurian mates at the park to take over the mantle …  

Image © Brian Cassey

Head On … Remarkable Photo Fest …

... just returned from a fabulous (and full on) few days in Sydney at the 2025 Head On Photo Festival.

A truly brilliant launch eve at the Bondi Pavilion to open this years festival … great large crowd of attendees and some lovely photography, awards and prizes, fat hot dogs and wine … perfect.

Was in Sydney for the festival in my capacity of featured exhibition exhibitor, award finalist, panelist … and more. This year the festival hosted well over a hundred exhibitions of photography … and I was thrilled and fortunate that one of them was my exhibition of work “Up North – Tropical People”. My featured collection … shown in prime position in the tranquil contemplative beautiful surrounds of the Paddington Reservoir Gardens … consisted of images of many of the characters that make Cairns and the tropical north home. Thanks Head On … 

Also in the Reservoir Gardens complex was the collected works selected as ‘Finalists’ in the Head On Exposure Awards … and I was again delighted to be selected  amongst their number with my image “Crush of Humanity – Dahi Handi – Mumbai”, made on an Indian adventure some years back.

The quality of the work in all this years Head On Awards … Portrait, Landscape and Exposure … was truly very special. Honoured to be amongst the list.

The winner of the Exposure Award was a remarkable, powerful, tragic and thought provoking image entitled “Faith Amidst Genocide”, made in war torn Gaza by Turkish photographer Abdelrahman Alkahlout.   

Bondi Pavilion and the Bondi Promenade hosted many awards and exhibition collections for thousands of beach goers and tourists to take in … including a great exhibition of sport images (by many of my friends and colleagues) to celebrate the Walkley Awards 70th year … “Sporting Moments Through the Lens”. Pretty classic, that one …

One of the less obvious highlights was somewhat of a festival coup … the screening (first in the southern hemisphere) of the film “The Stringer”. Somewhat controversial, the film documents the authorship disputation of the iconic Vietnam war photograph “The Terror of War” (more commonly referred to as “Napalm Girl”). The screening also saw a live appearance by one of the films main characters and ‘witness’ … former Associated Press Vietnam pic editor Carl Robinson … who verbalised his account of the proceeding fifty years ago. Fascinating stuff … but far too complicated to go further into it all here. (“The Stringer” launches on Netflix later this month … ).

Now for a shameless bit of name dropping … just some of the co-panelists, photographers, award nominees, festival attendees and thoroughly nice people that I engaged with over my five days at the festival in Sydney … Dave Gray, John Swainston, Kate Geraghty, Glenn Lockitch, Judith Nangala Crispin, Paul Blackmore, Tegan Sadlier, Michele Aboud, Sebastian Giunta, Tim Levy, Jess Prescott, Bronek Kozka, Pia Jessen, Guy Templeton, Fiona Bowring, Grace Costa, Birgit Neiser, Anastasia Trahanas, Dianne Brooks … and many many more … AND …  of course … the Head On crew that made it all happen …  Moshe, Anita, Stephen, Paula and all the others involved in keeping the wheels turning. Thank You !

When travelling I do make a point to research any photographic exhibitions showing … and outside of Head On in Sydney I found a couple worth visiting at the State Library of New South Wales … “Merv Bishop: Close Up” (Merv made that iconic image of Vincent Lingiari and Gough Whitlam with red dirt running through his fingers) and “PIX: The Magazine that Changed Everything” (brilliant nostalgic exhibition exploring the fantastic photography in the publication that spanned thirty four years of the twentieth century). Both shows an added bonus to the Sydney visit … 

Images … from top … “Up North – Tropical People” in the Reservoir Gardens (top two), Exposure Award finalist “Crush of Humanity – Dahi Handi – Mumbai” in Reservoir Gardens, Walkley 70th Anniversary Sport imagery exhibit on Bondi Beach, “The Stringer” and former AP pic editor Carl Robinson. All images © Brian Cassey except “The Stringer” imagery  © Associated Press.

2025 Head On Photo Festival - exhibition "Up North - Tropical People" by Brian Cassey at Paddington Reservoir Gardens Sydney 8th to the 30th November 2025
2025 Head On Photo Festival - "Crush of Humanity - Dahi Handi - Mumbai" - finalist in the Head On Exposure Awards exhibited at Paddington Reservoir Gardens - finalist image by © Brian Cassey. Exhibition open 8th to the 30th November 2025
2025 Head On Photo Festival - Head On exhibition '𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘦𝘯𝘴', an exhibition celebrating seven decades of the Walkley Awards for excellence in Australian journalism - - at Bondi Beach Sydney 7th November 2025 Image © by Brian Cassey
2025 Head On Photo Festival - screening of the film "The Stringer" - first in the southern hemisphere - at the festival, Bondi Pavilion Sydney 9th November 2025
“Terror of War” image (top) ©Associated Press
2025 Head On Photo Festival -screening of the film "The Stringer" - first in the southern hemisphere - at the festival . Main character and witness in the film former AP picture editor Carl Robinson is hugged by a member of photographer Nguyen Thành Nghe's family.Image © by Brian Cassey - at Bondi Pavilion Sydney 9th November 2025

Rowing the Pacific … Miriam & Jess …

… this time last week (Saturday 18th) two young British women were battling gusting twenty knot winds as they rowed their nine metre vessel ‘Velocity’ towards terra firma in Cairns.

The previous day I had taken a little voyage myself … a fifty nautical jaunt on the 12.5 metre Reef Adventures boat ‘Lethal Weapon’ … in the opposite direction. The rationale was to journey out past the edge of the Great Barrier Reef into the Coral Sea to meet Miriam Payne (25) and Jess Rowe (28) on the last stage of their epic 8213 nautical mile row across the Pacific Ocean.

The girls left Lima Peru on the 5th of May. 165 days later they stepped ashore at the Marlin Marina in Cairns after battling storms, massive waves, technical issues that nullified all their electronics … and a lack of chocolate … setting a new record as the first all-female pair to row across the Pacific Ocean nonstop and unsupported.

Following a rather bumpy trip on ‘Lethal Weapon’ through choppy waters last Friday, we found Miriam and Jess rowing steadfastly towards the edge of the Great Barrier Reef … and I made many images (just five of them here below). An hour or so later we shot back to Cairns. The pics were syndicated by Agence France-Presse/Getty around the planet. Very nice to see my work in The Times, The Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Guardian (all UK) … and many more around the World.

Far North Queenland is developing as a mecca for ocean rowers. In late August I covered the arrival of the three Scottish MacLean brothers in Cairns at the culmination of their Pacific Ocean row.  Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan smashed the world record for the fastest human-powered Pacific Ocean crossing completing the journey in 139 days. In April 2023 I documented the arrival in Port Douglas of solo Australia rower Michelle Lee who spent a whopping 237 days rowing across the Pacific from Mexico unassisted and all on her little lonesome, to become the first woman ever to do so.

( Arguably Miriam and Jess’s feat was more impressive than their Scottish male counterparts when taking into consideration ‘manpower’ or ‘womanpower’. Although the three Maclean brothers were quicker at 139 days … just the two of Miriam and Jess managed the journey only 26 days longer .. do the figures and go girls ! )

I had the pleasure of meeting Jess and Miriam (again) on dry land at a Salt House reception on Wednesday eve. A nicer couple of young ladies you could not imagine … vibrant, down to earth and full of humility. Many Thanks for the opportunity to meet you and your families properly … and thanks also to Cairns PR Pip Miller and Dave Gray from Agence France-Presse for your support.

Good (great) news stories are so good to cover …

You may see more of my images of these two amazing young ladies and their huge adventure on my Instagram here … and my Facebook here .

Images © Brian Cassey

British rowers Miriam Payne (25 - in black) and Jess Rowe (28 - in blue) approach the outer Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea Friday, 17th October 2025. The pair left Peru on the 5th May in their vessel ‘Velocity’ to row the approximately 8000 miles across the Pacific Ocean to Australia. When they set foot on dry land in Cairns this weekend they will become the first women’s team and the first pair to row the Pacific non-stop and unsupported. Image © Brian Cassey
British rowers Miriam Payne (25 - in black) and Jess Rowe (28 - in blue) approach the outer Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea Friday, 17th October 2025. The pair left Peru on the 5th May in their vessel ‘Velocity’ to row the approximately 8000 miles across the Pacific Ocean to Australia. When they set foot on dry land in Cairns this weekend they will become the first women’s team and the first pair to row the Pacific non-stop and unsupported. Image © Brian Cassey
British rowers Miriam Payne (25 - in black) and Jess Rowe (28 - in blue) approach the outer Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea Friday, 17th October 2025. The pair left Peru on the 5th May in their vessel ‘Velocity’ to row the approximately 8000 miles across the Pacific Ocean to Australia. When they set foot on dry land in Cairns this weekend they will become the first women’s team and the first pair to row the Pacific non-stop and unsupported. Image © Brian Cassey
British rowers Miriam Payne (25 - in black) and Jess Rowe (28 - in blue) approach the outer Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea Friday, 17th October 2025. The pair left Peru on the 5th May in their vessel ‘Velocity’ to row the approximately 8000 miles across the Pacific Ocean to Australia. When they set foot on dry land in Cairns this weekend they will become the first women’s team and the first pair to row the Pacific non-stop and unsupported. Image © Brian Cassey

Clarion Awards … a Tribute to ‘Resto Dave’ …

… honestly didn’t expect this … great evening at the Sofitel in Brisbane Saturday … made even better by the very welcome announcements that I actually won both the major photography prizes in the 30th anniversary “Clarion Awards” (Queensland’s journalism awards).

However, the eve was tinged with sadness too …

My set of pictures of the life of friend and recently sadly passed away subject … “Millionaire Castaway David Glasheen” … was judged the winner of ‘Best Photographic Essay’, whilst my portrait of David recovering from his heart attack earlier this year won ‘Best News Photograph’. The work was published perfectly and respectfully in the Courier Mail with words by gun scribe Michael Madigan … many thanks for that CM !

Here are the ‘judges comments’ on my work …

Best Metropolitan News Photo … “Brian showed dogged determination to track down castaway David Glasheen after he had suffered a heart attack. Using good old fashioned news sense Brian found his friend David recovering in the Red Cross Rehabilitation Centre in Cairns. The photograph is a strong example of using available resources to capture a portrait. A clever use of light, painting a haunting image of the subject in his frail state.”

Best Photographic Essay … “Brian’s photographic essay of David Glasheen, the millionaire castaway, perfectly captures the unique, and dream-like nature of the man’s life. From taking a mannequin down a tropical island in a wheelbarrow, to beautiful portrait shots that show the impacts of time, the series clearly tells the story of how this man lived and the scars he carries. Brian’s exquisite technical skill, and his storytelling ability is clearly on display in this essay.”

I admit to having reservations when seeing my images of ‘Resto Dave’ … is was a terrible shock to talk to him on the phone in early July, just a couple of days before he succumbed in a Brisbane hospital to the effects of that February heart attack and other complications. He was a truly fascinating genuine character armed with humour, compassion and a zest for life. I recommend a read of his best selling book “The Millionaire Castaway”.

However, it was still a thoroughly enjoyable evening at the Sofitel … a fitting venue to commemorate thirty years of the media awards that celebrate the best of Queensland journalism.
This year the event was organised by the Queensland branch of the MEAA … and everyone did a stellar job. Fantastic to make the pilgrimage again to the ‘big smoke’ of Brisbane and enjoy the company of many journalists, photographers and other media colleagues.

Huge congrats to all the ‘Clarion’ finalists and winners … in particular the photography finalist contingent of Adam Head, Annette Dew,  Glenn Hampson, Matt Dennien, Kenji Sato and Cairns based Brendan Radke. 
Below are the images that comprised my winning entries … and David, you are very very sorely missed.

Images © Brian Cassey


IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono … Awards and Exhibitions …

… some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).

Firstly … … can now reveal the image that was selected as a ‘Finalist’ in the prestigious Perth Centre of Photography portrait “IRIS Award” (see top below). My selected work “Unsculpted – Australian Artist Tony Clark” was kept confidential until last Friday eves exhibition opening event.

It’s the fourth time in a row that I have had works selected and exhibited as a prize finalist in this bi-annual award ( see my earlier ‘finalists’ from 2023, 2021 and 2019 ).

PCP describes the portrait prize thus … “Embracing unrestrained approaches to portraiture, the Award celebrates works of nuance, raw emotion, and personal connection — revealing the essence of human relationships and lived experience, whether in love, joy, desire, distance, or disconnection. We are invited into the shifting constellations of human sentiment, a space for reflection and dialogue on intimacy and identity in contemporary life.” 

The overall winner announced on Friday was ‘Sisterhood’ by Su Cassiano. Congrats Su !

The PCP “IRIS” exhibition of the thirty finalist portraits runs from the 4th to the 18th October at Cheap Tongue Gallery, Walyalup (Fremantle) Tuesday–Friday 10am–3pm. If you are in ‘The West’ I hope you can take it in … 🙂 .

On to November and the Head On Photo Festival for two pieces of nice news …

My latest exhibition in Australia’s premier photography festival … “Up North – Tropical People” … has now been confirmed. The work, pictorially portraying the wonderful inhabitants of the northern tropics of Australia, will grace the tranquil rustic walls of the Paddington Reservoir Gardens, Sydney from the 8th to the 30th November … and is free for everyone who wanders into the unique venue (second from top).

The judges at Head On have also selected one of my works … (that has to remain anonymous for now) … as a ‘Finalist’ in the festivals “Exposure Awards”. My selected photo will be in the ‘Exposure’ exhibition also displayed at Paddington Reservoir Gardens from the 8th to the 30th November and also free. All the award winners will be announced at a gala awards presentation at the Bondi Beach Pavilion on the eve of Friday the 7th. It’s always a really great event … !

Huge thanks to Moshe Rosenzveig OAM and the Head On Photo Festival team.

On to overseas now … and the news that TWO of my photographs were awarded ‘Bronze’ awards in the prestigious Paris based 2025 “Prix de la Photographie” (PX3). The awarded works are … “Millionaire Castaway – David Glasheen” (Press/People) and “Kids of Ali Curung” (Portrait) … (both below).

Exciting … but arguably more exciting was the recent announcement that an image I made several decades ago was selected as a ‘Silver’ award winner in the 2025 “Analog Sparks International Film Photography Awards” (fifth image down). The black and white film photograph of slalom water skier Steve Hook “On the Edge” last won me an award … the “Kodak Adidas Australian Sports Photograph of the Year” … exactly forty years ago in 1985 when I was almost a baby ! 🙂 . Pretty happy with that 🙂 .

Lastly … this post is getting a bit long … very happy to receive a ‘finalist’ recognition for a black and white version of my “Millionaire Castaway – David Glasheen” image in the ‘People’ category of Australia’s 2025 “Mono Awards” (bottom image below).

You may find more details of these on my website at … www.briancasseyphotographer.com/awards .

Images © Brian Cassey

IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono … Awards and Exhibitions … … some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-). Images © by Brian Cassey
IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono ... Awards and Exhibitions ... ... some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).All images by Brian Cassey.
IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono ... Awards and Exhibitions ... ... some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).All images by Brian Cassey.
IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono ... Awards and Exhibitions ... ... some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).All images by Brian Cassey.
IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono ... Awards and Exhibitions ... ... some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).All images by Brian Cassey.
IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono ... Awards and Exhibitions ... ... some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).All images by Brian Cassey.

Ten Years ! … Trinity Bay High School Portrait Prize …

… a ten year milestone …

Have just had the great pleasure once again … for the tenth year … of judging the annual Trinity Bay High School photographic Portrait Prize … and what a show it was.

Back in 2016 I selected the work “Shades” by then 14 year old TBHS student Matthew Hastie as the portrait prize winner … hard to believe he’d now by knocking on the age of 24 !

In the intervening years I’ve been fascinated and oft times stunned by the photography produced by this schools visual arts students … a testament to their dedicated and enthusiastic teachers. Each year the newest crop of students step up and produce both thoughtful and quality portraits making the winners selections a difficult task. This year was certainly no exception …

Ultimately I selected the work “Hood Rat” (top below) by Tyquon Prasad O’Brien as this years winner … a beautifully composed and produced portrait that spoke of the seeming fragility of being a teenager in today’s world. Tyquorn was presented with a Nikon Z mirrorless camera kindly sponsored by Camera House.

Just behind Tyquon’s work was Sujan Rai’s portrait of subject Paula Moana Schwertfeger channeling “Taylor Swift” … a technically brilliant portrait based on a ‘Swiftie’ album cover. Sujan was presented with a polaroid camera. (More on album covers below … 🙂 ).

Also recognised were two Highly Commended portraits … “Twins” by Nyota Asumani Lufugula and “Motown Vibes” by Keanu Sudiana … great works both. I also found myself drawn to an emotive and different portrait on the wall by Lillian Orr entitled “Our Last Sunrise”. Something resonated with me and it turned out that the back story to the image was both emotional and very personal. It certainly deserves to be recognised.

The new ‘Junior’ category was won by Eva Nomotu for a nice portrait of her mother … ‘Peoples Choice’ went to Ally Payett for the ‘Wolf’ portrait … and the ‘Staff’ winner was Virgil Gill’s work “Kilth”.

Which brings to this years new innovation … a special project posed to the students to visually recreate music album covers ! Using photography and editing software the students created around sixty ‘takes’ on original CD covers … many technically great, some highly amusing and collectively a fantastic show. (see bottom image below for part of it). I selected the diptych by Aniisa Idai as the best in show, but in all honesty all the works were really all highly competent and highly entertaining ! (Especially liked ‘Kiss’, ‘The Group Fire’, ‘Fake it Flowers’ and, of course, ‘Amy Winehouse’ !)

The work presented at the show is a testament to the amazing talents of TBHS visual arts teachers … Janelle Williams, Caroline Mudge, Luke Marsden, Clair Lloyd and Melanie Tuxworth … the students are indeed lucky to have you. Take a bow …

You can view all the TBHS students winning works from the previous nine years by clicking here … 2024 … 2023 … 2022 … 2021 … 2020 … 2019 … 2018 … 2017 … 2016 …

Below … images from top and left to right © by … Tyquon Prasad O’Brien, Sujan Rai, Nyota Asumani Lufugula, Keanu Sudiana, Lillian Orr, Ally Payett, Eva Nomotu, Brian Cassey

AAP “Portrait” Winners Feature in Class Mag …

Very nice !

AAP Magazine has published a beautifully produced magazine featuring the “Portrait” award winning works of 25 portrait photographers from around the planet … from the USA, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Lithuania, China, Israel, Turkey, Germany, Poland, Italy … and two from Australia … myself … and friend Carole Mills Noronha whose work graces the magazine cover.

My winning image … “100 Years and 3 Weeks – Alf Neal OAM” was accompanied in the publication by two other of my portraits “Millionaire Castaway – David Glasheen” and “Neville Henry – Kowanyama”, under the title “Australians” over a two page spread (see top below).

The hard copy publication really feels more like a book than a magazine … stout card cover and ultra heavy weight paper throughout the 96 pages … beautiful simple layout showing the work at it’s finest … and no advertising whatsoever. A pure pleasure to be included … 

You may see all the AAP Portrait Awards collected works in the magazine here … https://www.all-about-photo.com/photo-articles/photo-article/1886/aap-magazine-48-portrait-photography-competition-winners-announced

AAP Mag also recently included my work “Generations – Aurukun” in their just published collection “Best Modern Photographers of September 2025” and it may be viewed here …  https://www.all-about-photo.com/photo-articles/photo-article/1948/best-modern-photographers-of-september-2025 .

Big Thanks to Sandrine at AAP Photo !

Below is an image of the AAP “Portrait” magazine showing my image spread and the mag title … and an Instagram screen grab of a AAP “Best Modern Photographers of September 2025” page featuring “Generations – Aurukun”. Images © Brian Cassey

New Exhibition … “Achromatic” at “The Hound” …

… delighted to announce my new exhibition of photographic works … “Achromatic” … at the beautiful atmospheric surrounds of “The Hound” bar, Edge Hill from the 17th to the 29th September. 

The exhibit is my first ever collection of purely black and white photographic works … blending in with the theme of this gorgeous little whiskey/cocktail bar and celebrating its milestone first anniversary.

The definition of the title “Achromatic” … ‘free from extraneous colours, possessing or involving no hue’ … and the collection demonstrates how reducing a photograph to black and white emphasises contrast, form, and texture, allowing viewers to focus on composition and the interplay of light and shadow without the distraction of colour.

The photographs in the collection are varied and include, landscape, portraiture, photojournalism and more … and also includes three images made at “The Hound” as a tribute to the beautiful  Paweł Pawlikowski film “Cold War”.

The exhibition is tailored specifically for the “The Hound” in conjunction with the amazing and motivated bar manager Ana Belen Hernalz … and I also owe a massive vote of thanks to fellow photographer Emese Gyalog and Will Davey who played their parts beautifully in the “Cold War” images. 

Sadly I’ll be working in the Torres Strait when the exhibition first opens … but on return the plan is to organise a photographers eve and/or a closing event at the “The Hound” … very likely on Thursday 25th September. Put it in your electronic diary !

Below is the exhibition poster © The Hound , image © Brian Cassey

Delighted to announce my new exhibition of photographic works ... “Achromatic” ... at the beautiful atmospheric surrounds of “The Hound” bar, Edge Hill from the 17th to the 29th September. The exhibit is my first ever collection of purely black and white photographic works by photographer Brian Cassey

Three Men in a Boat … a World Record …

Last Saturday 30th August, three Scottish brothers rowed into Cairns in a tiny row boat at the culmination of an incredible 14500 kilometre unsupported voyage from Lima, Peru.

Brothers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan comprehensively smashed the world record for the fastest human-powered Pacific Ocean crossing, completing the journey in 139 days.

I covered the arrival of the brothers in Cairns at Marlin Marina … where a crowd of family, friends, onlookers and media gathered … for AFP (Agence France-Presse).

The images are being widely published around the planet … and these are just a few of the pages they have ended up gracing … ‘The Scottish Sun’, The Scotsman’, ‘The Edinburgh News’, ‘The Taipei Times’ (Taiwan), France24, ‘The Malay Mail’ (Malaysia), ‘The Omak Chronicle’ (USA), ‘Digital Journal’ (Global), ‘Non Stop Local KHQ’ (Idaho USA), ‘ETV Bharat’ (India), ‘Barron’s’ (USA), AS Sports (Spain) … and arguably the three most prestigious … the UK publications ‘The Times’, The Independent’ and ‘The Daily Mail’.

A nice and positive story to cover … the brothers feat is really incredible as was the support that Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan received from a large and vociferous gathering of family and friends. Here are just four of the many images made on the day and syndicated by AFP.

From top … the brothers arrive at the Cairns Marlin Marina and celebrate with flares and bagpipes … Lachlan, Jamie and Ewan prepare for dry land … Lachlan and Jamie hug their girlfriends Heide and Emily after stepping ashore … Lachlan, Jamie and Ewan celebrate their remarkable success with the Scottish flag.

images © Brian Cassey for AFP (Agence France-Presse)

“Kennedy’s” … Australian Media’s Night of Nights …

… Yay ! Great News … selected as one of three Finalists in the “Kennedy Awards” … “Outstanding Portrait Photography” category. The prestigious awards describe themselves as “a truly independent, national celebration of the best Australian journalism … the Australian media’s night of nights”.

The black tie awards presentation dinner is in the very plush surrounds of the Ballroom, Royal Randwick, Sydney on August 15th.

Sounds very flash … and yeah … will be packing the ‘whistle ’n’ flute’ and winging it down to Sydney for a couple of (likely dangerous) days meeting up with many photographer and journalist friends and colleagues.

You’ve likely seen my selected finalist image before in earlier posts ( here, here and here ) … and it’s described below so I won’t bombard you with it again.

Big Congrats also to the other photography finalists … good friends and colleagues all … David Gray, Nicholas Moir, Mick Tsikas, Carly Earl, Elise Derwin, Flavio Brancaleone, Darrien Traynor and Bronwen Healy.

Will let you know how it all goes … will be a BLAST …