Event – John McRae Photography & Studio

November 16, 2025November 17, 2025

Documenting the launch of the Heart Research Institute’s reconciliation action plan

Recently, I had the privilege of photographing an important milestone for The Heart Research Institute (HRI): the launch of their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). It was an afternoon dedicated to acknowledging responsibility, strengthening partnerships, and outlining HRI’s commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

A reconciliation plan is more than a policy document – it’s a framework for meaningful action. It lays out how an organisation intends to build respectful relationships, deepen cultural understanding and create better opportunities for collaboration with First Nations communities. HRI used this event to publicly set out its goals, with a particular focus on advancing Aboriginal health through research, community involvement and culturally informed practice.

The event opened with a Welcome to Country, grounding the room in respect and signalling the significance of the moment. A series of speeches followed, each reinforcing HRI’s commitment to reconciliation and outlining the practical steps that the organisation is now taking. As a photographer, I am aware of the importance of these moments – the mix of sincerity, energy and shared purpose.

The Djurali Aboriginal health team played a central role in the afternoon’s proceedings, representing lived experience and professional expertise working with culturally responsive health initiatives. After the formalities, I was asked to photograph the team as a group, as well as make individual portraits. We made our way to a nearby park, which offered a calm and natural backdrop. The soft afternoon light and open green space helped to create a relaxed atmosphere, allowing each person’s confidence to shine through.

This assignment reminded me how meaningful photography can be when it’s tied to moments of genuine progress and community connection. Documenting events like this is not just about recording who was in attendance – it’s about acknowledging the significance of the work being done and honouring the people at its heart.

September 29, 2025November 10, 2025

Heart to Heart – an evening at the Heart Research Institute

Last week I photographed an event hosted by the Heart Research Institute (HRI) in Newtown. The HRI is a world-leading medical research institute dedicated to understanding, preventing, and treating cardiovascular disease — the single biggest killer globally. Their pioneering research spans from molecular science in the lab through to clinical studies that directly improve patient care.

The evening began with a warm reception where guests gathered over food and conversation. It was a chance to connect supporters, researchers, and members of the community in a relaxed setting, before moving into the more formal part of the program.

The highlight of the night was a talk by Professor Ben Freedman, who shared his expertise and insights into cardiovascular research and, in particular, atrial fibrillation (AF) — a common but often underdiagnosed heart rhythm disorder that greatly increases the risk of stroke. Professor Freedman’s presentation was both engaging and informative, bringing clarity to a complex subject and underscoring the importance of early detection and treatment.

Adding a deeply personal dimension to the discussion, Mrs. Maggie Smith shared her lived experience of managing atrial fibrillation on a day-to-day basis. Her story offered an invaluable perspective, reminding everyone in the room of the human side of medical research and why the work of the HRI is so vital.

As the evening drew to a close, Professor Freedman demonstrated some of the latest gadgets and tools now available to help monitor “heart health.” From wearable devices to digital innovations, these practical examples gave the audience a glimpse into how cutting-edge research is translating into everyday care.

Events like this are a reminder that medical research is not just about lab results or statistics; it’s about people, their lives, and the potential for science to create healthier futures. I’m grateful to the HRI for the opportunity to document the event and witness the powerful intersection of research, community, and personal experience. Plus on a personal note, I find these subjects extremely interesting as it reminds me of the passion I had as a young science student, studying pharmacology and immunology at Monash University…in another lifetime.

January 9, 2025January 13, 2025

Roberts & Co – “topping out” at Wentworth Point

I am frequently asked to photograph “topping out” events for various stakeholders in the construction industry. On this occasion, I was invited to document the “topping out” of an educational facility at Wentworth Point in western Sydney, during mid-construction.

You might wonder, what is a “topping out”? According to Wikipedia, it is a practice which seems to have originated in ancient Scandinavia as a religious rite, where a tree was placed atop a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits displaced during construction. The tree also served a practical purpose: when the pine needles fell to the ground, it signaled to the builders that their timber frame had cured or dried.

Today, a “topping out” event is usually organized by the builder, who invites those partners and associates involved with the project to a ceremony to mark the completion of the final level in construction, signifying that the structure is finished.

At the event I covered for Roberts & Co., a large potted tree was hoisted by crane onto the roof of the building. Speeches were made and group photos were taken. I learned that the tree does not remain on the roof; after the event, it is taken back down by crane and planted somewhere nearby.

November 11, 2024November 11, 2024

Sod-Turning at Minto

The team at Charter Hall and Prime Construcitons came together to mark the commencement of a new development at Minto. A short ceremony was organised where speeches were made and refreshments were consumed, as well as the symbolic turning of the first sod of ground.

The “sod-turning” is a symbolic re-enactment of the first bit of dirt that is dug up when work on the site is commenced. Three very shiny shovels were prepared for this construction ritual and then the appropriate individuals dig into the ground and dislodge the first bit of dirt (see photo).

A delicious spread was provided for breakfast on the day

Photo: commencement of construction on the site at Minto

July 27, 2023July 27, 2023

Sydney International Piano Competition at the Opera House

Photographing at the Sydney Opera House is always a great pleasure. No matter what the occasion, the view is always amazing. One is always struck by the beauty and grandeur of this impressive structure.

Virginia Braden OAM (Chairman) & Gerard Willems at the media wall prior to the start of the concert.

I was commissioned by “Piano +” to photograph the media wall and VIP reception. Piano + is the entity that has been newly formed to organise and stage the long-standing Sydney International Piano Competition, a program that has been operating annually since 1977. Every four years a competition is held, open to international performers, to compete for a prize money purse. Held in July/August, the prestigious competition is broadcast nationally and internationally.

This year’s competition was won by Jeonghwan Kim (article here:). Kim takes home a $50,000 cash award, as well as being invited to perform at different concerts, a national tour of Australia, a digital and CD release of his performances during the competition, and further recording engagements.

Guests at the reception before the concert

Shane & Andrew Scanlan at the media wall

March 21, 2023March 21, 2023

United For Care opens new facility in Liverpool

I was in the Sydney suburb of Liverpool to photograph the opening event of a new accommodation facility in Liverpool for people with disability.

United For Care is an organisation which promotes the idea that people with disability can live, to a large extent, a happy and fulfilled life and that means having their own independent accommodation. It strives to move away from any model of communal living in dormitories, shared bathrooms and lounge rooms and gives the individual the pleasure of having their own space, at the same time offering all the allied support that may be necessary.

Aunty Gail delivers the welcome to country

The event kicked off with an acknowledgement of the traditional custodians of the land in a welcome to country by Aunty Gail followed by a smoking ceremony.

Speeches were made by the Chief Operations Officer, Karim Amin and Dai Le (Federal Member), who also cut the ribbon to mark the official opening.

Guests were entertained by “The Weeklies”, the Disability Services Australia band who created a melodic background for the day’s activities. The catering was next level, as you can see from some of the images which follow.