Publications

ABOUT THE PUBLICATIONS

Yolngu Mali (Aboriginal Spirit): After returning to Australia and witnessing photographs by tabloid media misrepresenting remote First Nations People Pete embarked on photographing and recording Yolngu Mali a celebration of traditional Cultural life. He spent 7 months living remote in North East Arnhem land and was adopted into Community, taught to track and hunt and given a worthy place with the men of the Community. 

 Australia Beyond Any Price: After meeting with Melbourne based environmental groups The Wilderness Society, Friends of the Earth and The Australian Conservation Foundation the books main themes where established . Pete then traveled the length and breadth of the country researching and photographing for this publication. Chapters include Nuclear Waste,Old Growth Forests. 

Elders Wisdom from Australian Indigenous Leaders: Word for word recordings transcribed from senior Elders on themes including Healing, Lore, Spirit, Song and Ceremony. 

 Point Nepean: To the Boonwurrung People Point Nepean is sacred Women's birthing place.To developers it was an opportunity. As the Point was fought over by factions of the Victorian state government and the business sector Pete quietly met with Indigenous Elders and local philanthropists to gain access to create a series of photographs showing the magnificence of this extraordinary land and its waters. The photographs were used in a media campaign to protect the Point and at the same time became a permanent exhibition at the information centre at Point Nepean (until the centre was burnt to the ground). Despite the fire Point Nepean the book photographed and written by Pete was completed and soon after Point Nepean in its entirety was placed on the National Heritage List to be permanently protected. 

My People’s Dreaming: Senior Yuin Elder Uncle Max Dulumunmun Harrison met Pete in the making of the Elders book (Healing chapter) some 5 years earlier. As Pete's mentor and friend Uncle Max invited him to travel the Yuin Nation (South East NSW) to record and photograph the book My People’s Dreaming a 3 month cross country odyssey of recording, listening and learning. As is the way Uncle’s two Grandsons Max (the third) and Kai came along. All the while Uncle teaching his Grandsons their Cultural identity. This is an understated publication as it holds a great deal of Yuin Cultural teachings and insight into lore while at the same time inviting the broader Community a rich opportunity through Uncle’s guidance to understand the importance of Culture.

 Old Growth, Australia’s Remaining Ancient Forests: With the remaining 4% of Australia’s unprotected Old Growth Forests being targeted for logging Pete recruited 15 environmental photographers (including himself) to create the content for this magnificent and important publication. By its title alone a statement had been made which has contributed to the momentum and protection of our remaining ancient forests. 

Fire and the Story of Burning Country This publication was recorded with two great Cultural Men of Cape York far North Queensland Old Man Dr Tommy George and David Claudie both masters of traditional land management with fire. In the case study of this book self extinguishing cool burning practices where applied. Pete photographed and recorded Fire and the Story of Burning Country on Davids homeland Kaanju Ngaachi Country Central Cape York and on Uncle Tommy's traditional land Thaypan Country (340km North West of Cairns)"The wallaby they smell the smoke.When that smoke starts, in comes the Fire Hawk, browny coloured, he comes in, picks up a stick with fire, fly's over there, drops it, gets the fire started somewhere else to hunt the small animals, he’s got his own story with the land” Dr Tommy George.

Foreword:  Professor Don Hankins California State University. At the time of recording this book Don was in Australia with the Elders studying traditional fire management. He is a specialist in fire ecology / pyrogeography, Indigenous land management practices and conservation of Indigenous cultural practices.

The Elders Report into Preventing Indigenous Self Harm and Youth Suicide: At the time of photographing and recording the text for the report First Nations youth between the ages of 12 and 24 represented the highest suicide rates in the world. And through witnessing the effects of intergenerational trauma close up with the loss of adopted family from the Top End Pete embarked across the country visiting 17 Communities to build this report. From Cape York to the Kimberley 2 key questions were asked why is suicide and self harm happening & what can be done to end this. The Reports findings were unanimous, reconnecting young people to their Cultural identity and Country is the most effective way to safeguard Indigenous youth. This highly respected report continues to hold its place in the National health sector to this very day.