Restoration Island

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


Vale ‘Resto Dave’ … Millionaire Castaway David Glasheen …

In February I posted an ‘update’ on World renowned island castaway David Glasheen and his then health issues. I’m so sad to advise that the former millionaire and later decades long island recluse passed away last weekend. His family have told me that he never really recovered over the five months since that hospitalisation for a heart attack.

So … I make no apologies for once again running this ‘last image’ portrait (top) that I made of David in the Red Cross accomodation following his discharge from Cairns Hospital back in February. That portrait was the catalyst for an another lengthy story on David’s island life in the Courier Mail newspaper.

David’s story … of losing a business fortune in the 1987 economic crash and dropping out to live a solitary life for decades on a remote tiny island off the coast of northern Australia … resonated around the planet. His book “Millionaire Castaway” (illustrated on the cover with another of my ‘David’ portraits) was a best seller around the World.

I had the pleasure of visiting David (and his mannequin friend) on remote Restoration Island three times over the years. He was always a gentleman, a fascinating wonderful host … and a great subject. (His island brewed beer was pretty good too.) Below I’ve also posted a few more pics of David when on his island home in healthier times, with his dog Quassi and his ‘friend’ Miranda.

Restoration Island (and the World) has lost a unique resident … they don’t make ’em like ‘Resto Dave’ anymore …

Images © Brian Cassey

Vale 'Resto Dave' ... Millionaire Castaway David Glasheen ... In February I posted an 'update' on World renowned island castaway David Glasheen and his then health issues. I'm so sad to advise that the former millionaire and later decades long island recluse passed away last weekend. His family have told me that he never really recovered over the five months since that hospitalisation for a heart attack.
Vale 'Resto Dave' ... Millionaire Castaway David Glasheen ... In February I posted an 'update' on World renowned island castaway David Glasheen and his then health issues. I'm so sad to advise that the former millionaire and later decades long island recluse passed away last weekend. His family have told me that he never really recovered over the five months since that hospitalisation for a heart attack.
Vale 'Resto Dave' ... Millionaire Castaway David Glasheen ... In February I posted an 'update' on World renowned island castaway David Glasheen and his then health issues. I'm so sad to advise that the former millionaire and later decades long island recluse passed away last weekend. His family have told me that he never really recovered over the five months since that hospitalisation for a heart attack.

Pollux Awards … Another Nice Win …

… SO nice ! … very happy to be announced a winner in the 22nd International Pollux Awards with my image “Millionaire Castaway – David Glasheen”. Fifth year in a row I’ve had the honour of winning the major Pollux gong in People … and each time also awarded extra Honourable Mentions as well :-).

My portrait of 82 year old Restoration Island castaway and former business tycoon David Glasheen will be exhibited on the walls of the new Mediterranean House of Photography (formerly the FotoNostrum Gallery) in Barcelona, Spain in the first quarter 2026. 

I made the portrait of David following his discharge from hospital after earlier suffering a heart attack. He plans to return to life on isolated Restoration Island when fully recovered.

The Hon Mentions selected are “Unsculpted – Artist Tony Clark” … and … “The Kids of Ali Curung”.

It’s also first time ‘recognitions’ for both the Millionaire Castaway and Tony Clark’s Unsculpted works … very gratifying … 

My previous ‘People’ winners in the past four Pollux award seasons were … “The Last Image of Alf” (Alf Neal OAM – 21st Pollux) … “George at the Bus Stop” (George Skeene OAM – 20th Pollux) … both “100 Years & 3 Weeks – Alf Neal OAM” and “Do Not Resuscitate – Peter ‘Potter’ Thompson” (19th Pollux) … and “Covid Vax & Ice Cream – Leanne Bulmer” (18th Pollux) .

All three newly selected works are here below … Thanks to David, Tony and the kids of Ali Curung.

Images © Brian Cassey

22nd Pollux International Awards - People - Winner "Millionaire Castaway - David Gasheen" - & Honourable Mentions X 2 - "Unsculpted - Artist Tony Clark" & "The Kids of Ali Curung" - images by Brian Cassey

Millionaire Castaway … David Glasheen Update …

… very nice run in last weekends edition of the Courier Mail that featured my images … old and brand new … of old friend ‘Ex Millionaire to island Castaway’ David Glasheen. David lost a literal fortune during the 1987 economic crash and then chose to ‘drop out’ and live a solitary secluded life on historic Restoration Island off the coast of far north Queensland. 

His story and my photographs of David spread World wide after I visited him three times on his island … (named Restoration Island by Captain Bligh when he landed there during his epic 4000 mile open boat journey following the HMS Bounty mutiny) … back in 2010 and 2011 for News Ltd, the New York Times and Fairfax.

David later published a book about his life entitled “The Millionaire Castaway” which sold a quarter of a million copies around the planet.

Recently I learnt that David (now 81) had suffered a heart attack and had left the island for a bed in Cairns Hospital. At the hospital I was told he had just been discharged and I found him at the nearby Red Cross accomodation.  We chatted about old times and I asked if I could make yet another newer portrait … which he readily agreed to. 

This portrait (top image) is the result. David has always had a story to tell so I passed on details of his current trauma and story to Courier Mail gun journalist Michael Madigan (who I have worked with on many stories previously) … and passed on David’s new portrait and the earlier 2010/2011 pics of David on his remote inland retreat to the Courier picture desk.

The result … a front page pointer, Davids portrait on page 15 and a spread across pages 36 and 61. Happy with that … huge thanks to Michael for his brilliant words … and, of course, David who is now recovering with his family ‘down south’ (but really hoping to soon get back to his island home.)

Read David’s story in the Courier Mail here … https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/millionaire-castaway-david-glasheen-seeks-a-companion-for-qld-tropical-island/news-story/2c4f77dd13fe0a8388b533e3a53e460

Images © Brian Cassey

50th Anniversary – The Australian …

Very gratified to be included at number three out of thirty in ‘The Australian’ newspapers 50th anniversary ‘Heart Of The Nation’ collection today.

The blurb on the title page of the collection reads thus … “Heart Of The Nation – Our best of …
As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we present this gallery of the best of The Weekend Australian Magazine’s photo-feature page, ‘Heart Of The Nation’. A weekly snapshot of modern Australian life, Heart Of The Nation is a showcase for the country’s best photographers.”

Excellent to have my work included amongst a stellar line up of Australia’s top photographers … and many thanks to ‘Heart Of The Nation’ editor Ross Bilton for the inclusion. Would also like to take this opportunity to again thank my subject – David Glasheen – who is still doing it tough on remote Restoration Island off the coast of northern Cape York Peninsula.

Below is a screen shot of my image as displayed in todays ‘The Australian’ 50th anniversary collection.

Image © Brian Cassey

50thAnnivHeartOfTheNationBlog

‘Lost Boy’ in The New Republic …

Great magazine with imaginative layouts and excellent writing – ‘The New Republic” – published in the US and covering politics, culture and the arts, is a breath of fresh air in magazine publishing. Great shame there isn’t a mag like it in Australia.

Have just received a hard copy of the latest September edition with several of my images of Restoration Island ‘stowaway’ David Glasheen accompanying a great piece of writing by journalist Kent Russell. The story – entitled “The Lost Boy of Restoration Island – Is It Possible to Disappear Completely” and scrawled over the pages with crayon – runs over all of twelve pages and utilises one of the nicest and most creative layouts I’ve seen in a magazine. The remainder of the issue is full of similarly great reading again using great layouts. Kudos to ‘The New Republic’.

Kent’s words brilliantly capture the character and essence of island loner David Glasheen and his lifestyle on tiny Restoration Island off the coast of Cape York Peninsula near Lockhart River. Six of my images of David, made on the island, accompany the text.

Although the article is best viewed in the print edition to appreciate the fantastic layout, you can also read Kent’s words and see my images online at http://www.newrepublic.com/article/114549/dave-glasheen-lost-boy-restoration-island

Below is a grab of the first two title pages of the twelve page article in the print edition showing the imaginative layout with just one of my images of David.

Image © Brian Cassey

NewRepublics

Good Weekend … The Last Days of Eden …

The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald weekend mag “Good Weekend” featured Saturday a four page story by Susan Chenery, accompanied by my images, on Restoration Island castaway and all round good guy David Glasheen.

Entitled “The Last Days of Eden” the story told of David’s life of isolation and his current battle to avoid eviction from his island paradise off the northern tip of Cape York Peninsula. I’ve been, indeed, fortunate to visit David several times on ‘Resto’  and he has made me most welcome every time.

Below I’ve posted a screen shot of the “Good Weekend” double page spread … and Susan’s story and more of my images can be found on the Sydney Morning Herald web site at … http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/the-last-days-of-eden-20121008-277yi.html

David’s fight to stay on the island has spread around the planet and much interest has been forthcoming from diverse parts and publications. My images have featured in some interesting countries … also below are just two screen shots of pages from opposite sides of the World … Colombia and Switzerland.

Images of David Glasheen © Brian Cassey