Tag: community

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Fair Day

Well it was that time of year again in mid-February, when Victoria Park in Sydney was taken over by colour and movement on a grand scale for the 2026 Mardi Gras Fair Day. I was hosting several overseas visitors and we decided that to head to the park to experience the vibe would be an appropriate outing for us all. My friends Jonathan and Mimi joined Lauren, myself and various others on the adventure.

We all had a great time. It’s always a treat to be in the company of close friends  … and on top of that we had a huge backdrop of numerous other fun human beings doing the same thing. Of course there were various focal points such as the continuous parade of entertainers to watch on the main stage.

Atomic Kiss – in action

There was a grassy section on the hill near the perimeter where ATOMIC KISS, an energetic DJ duo, were playing a twin set in matching t-shirts (“Save a horse: Ride a deejay”) and an eager crowd had gathered to dance on the lawn. There were dog shows, fashion shows, inflatable pink flamingos, meat pies, free lollipops, loads of stalls with people either promoting queer sports associations or selling all kinds of stuff.

Alex, Jonathan (on a short visit from Rome) and Gary

It was a perfect summer’s day … in fact so perfect that I found myself at times seeking out the shade under the gum trees. I decided to take my camera and grab a few shots, some of which I am sharing here. The time flew by (obviously we were enjoying ourselves a lot) and what seemed like a couple of hours turned into six. We left uplifted and satisfied, happy and entertained on many levels.

My friend Mimi photo-bombing (normally an annoying habit for a photographer to deal with), but hilarious at Fair Day

Here she is again….

and yet again

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A great day with the NAPWHA team in Melbourne

In June, I had the privilege of working with the team from NAPWHA  (National Association of People Living with HIV Australia) on a shoot held at Sun Studios in South Melbourne. The session brought together a group of generous and inspiring community members, who volunteered to be models for the day.

The shoot was part of a broader initiative to create a fresh library of imagery for upcoming educational and awareness campaigns.

Shooting at Sun Studios, Sth Melbourne
Ready for the close-up

It was a day filled with energy, purpose, and connection. I’m proud to have played a role in capturing content that will help support NAPWHA’s ongoing work and advocacy. My thanks to everyone involved — especially those who so bravely and openly stood in front of the lens.

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UFC Redfern – Cope Street Opening

United for Care is an independent living provider, working in partnership with Vertika, to make appealing accommodation available for their clients

On the morning of October 30, 2024 (a date I particularly remember because it was also my birthday), people gathered at the newly completed Redfern facility to celebrate its grand opening.

A diverse group of attendees came together to listen to speeches, participate in a traditional smoking ceremony, mingle, and enjoy the refreshments offered, which included a much-appreciated coffee barista service

The traditional smoking ceremony is part of an ancient Indigenous practice that involves the burning of native plants to create smoke. This smoke is believed to have cleansing properties and is used to purify the space and those people present. During the ceremony, participants often share stories, songs and rituals, fostering a sense of community and connection to the land and ancestors. The specific plants used can vary by region, but commonly they include eucalyptus, sage and other native herbs.

Guests in Sydney were warmly welcomed to the Cope Street inauguration and encouraged to explore the state-of-the-art accommodation facility, which is located within walking distance to the transport services and shops along Redfern’s main street.