In the week before departing for the New York trip I had the very real pleasure of working alongside ultra talented journalist Trent Dalton at Palm Island (once nicknamed “Coconut Alcatraz”) in the Coral Sea on a story for the Australian Weekend Magazine. That story – entitled “In Their Own Words”– was published last weekend.
I strongly suggest that you take time (if you haven’t already) to read Trent’s wonderful story. It may be found here … http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/weekend-australian-magazine/palm-island-after-100-years-of-trauma-writes-a-new-storyline/story-e6frg8h6-1227532935088 (with several of my images).
Trent and I spent several days with the people of Palm Island – mostly with the cast and crew of the theatre production “Beautiful One Day” – a play created by Palm Islanders that documents the troubled history of the indigenous island settlement from establishment early last century by the Queensland Government through to the Mulrunji Doomadgee ‘death in custody’ tragedy and the resulting furore. (I wouldn’t even attempt to match the words written by Trent so do suggest you read his complete story here !)
“Beautiful One Day” – the central element of the magazine story – came ‘home’ to Palm Island after successfully touring in London and around Victoria and is also currently showing at the Brisbane Festival QPAC till September 26.
The Palm Islanders and the crew of “Beautiful One Day” were more than gracious hosts … and I had a ball making images of the theatre production and the people and lifestyle on the island.
Below is a grab of the opening title spread in last weekends magazine and also the image in question – one of six used with the story.
Images © Brian Cassey
