The First Anzac Day

The 10th Battalion was the first infantry battalion raised in South Australia for service during WW1, they were at the head of the covering force for the Anzac Cove (Gaba Tepe) landing and amongst the first ashore, they fought in many of the worst battles on the Western Front. In the darkness and chaos of the Anzac landing two 10th Battalion scouts, Arthur Blackburn and Philip Robin, made it across the peninsula to their unit’s objective, Scrubby Knoll. No allied soldier would set foot there again during the entire campaign.

Meanwhile Australians were finding ways to raise funds, care for the wounded and honour the dead. On the 13th of October 1915 South Australia’s Eight Hour Day was renamed Anzac Day. A huge procession was held that included wounded veterans and 5000 AIF soldiers. Proceeds from the day’s events were donated to the Wounded Soldiers Fund. In an effort to attract a big crowd a number of sports and novelty events were held on Adelaide Oval after the procession. The day culminated with two obsolete horse drawn trams being crashed into each other and exploded in front of a crowd of 20,000.

This hour long documentary follows the formation of the 10th Battalion, what became of the scouts and explores The First Anzac Day.

From 6 Tropical Trials Unit to Vietnam — An APC for Australia

Documents the untold story of Australia’s Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and the men who trialed them during the 6 Tropical Trials in 1964 in Innisfail, QLD. The trials saw the introduction of the M113A1 APC into Australia’s Army. This vehicle was used extensively in the Vietnam War and subsequent variants saw over 55 years of operational service. This isn’t a war film. It offers an insight into how these men fitted in with the local community, set about doing their jobs, and in some cases met their wives. This project encompasses a 42 min photo film and an 8 part Service Voices, Radio Adelaide 5UV series produced by Helen Meyer.

CBAA 2022 Awards Finalist — Excellence in Innovative Programming and Content category.

Signs of Life — Kangaroo Island after the Bushfires

Filmed on Kangaroo Island, South Australia 25th – 30th January 2020. I was on the island doing volunteer work making videos for some locals as a small contribution to the post bushfire recovery. After that I decided to travel through the western end of the island where the fires had been the most intense. Planning to capture some footage, but I didn’t want to focus on the worst of the aftermath as the media had well and truly covered that. Camping under the stars I had a flash that I could try and document ‘Signs of Life’.

The smell left behind by the fires was something I got used to fairly quickly, what I didn’t expect was how hot the ground would still be and how complete the devastation was at the far western end of the island, Flinders Chase. But, even there our native flora was already beginning to sprout. Although birds and insects feature in this video, I didn’t see any signs of either for many hours travelling through Flinders Chase. Soundtrack: Happy Ghosts

Tagore International FF — India — Award Winner  |  European Int FF — Saint-Petersburg — Award Winner  |  High Tatras FF — Slovakia — Award Winner  |  Gangkok Int FF — India — Award Winner  |  Druk International FF — Bhutan — Award Winner  |  Ebullience Shorts — Award Winner

Step up to Stop Strep A and End Rheumatic Heart Disease

Part of a series of videos made with Nirrumbuk Environmental Health Services and KAMS. Aboriginal people in Australia are suffering from RHD too young and needing heart surgery. The Kimberley, Western Australia have some of the highest rates of Rheumatic Heart Disease in the world. It was an honour to work on this project.

The Closed Schools of Marion

Singled out by Mandy Paul (a senior curator at History SA) as the highlight of the 51 projects funded by History SA in 2011. From 1987 to 2009 four of the six secondary schools and five of the twelve primary schools on the plains of Marion, South Australia were closed due to changing demographics and the Education Department rationalising its services. To commemorate these schools Marion Historical Society mounted The Closed Schools of Marion exhibition. Over two afternoons of the exhibition 17 people were interviewed about their memories of these schools. Along with scanned photographs and artefacts the footage was edited into an hour long film full of heartfelt memories and many humorous anecdotes. Thousands of people were a part of The Closed Schools of Marion and these interviews just scratch the surface of the collective memories of these schools.

Picnic at Hanging Rock — Martindale Hall

Picnic at Hanging Rock star Anne Lambert (Miranda St. Clair) revisits historic Martindale Hall for the first time in 41 years.

Signal Point — Paddle Steamer Oscar W Returns to Goolwa

On January 29, 1988 a large fleet of paddleboats from along the River Murray gathered for the grand opening of Signal Point by Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Despite blistering heat on the day, the largest crowd ever seen in Goolwa was present. The 1908 built Paddle Steamer Oscar ‘W’ returns to Goolwa.

One of a series of videos for the upgrade of the Goolwa Riverport Heritage Centre in 2025.  4 min 15 sec watch

Paddle Steamer & Barge Building in Goolwa 1853 – 1914

A 40 min. documentary made in collaboration with The Friends of the PS Oscar W. The historic River Port of Goolwa is located near the mouth of the Murray River in South Australia, it saw the birth of the Murray River trade and it was the only port on the Murray Darling River system where entire riverboats were constructed. Between 1853 and 1913 sixty one vessels, including thirty seven paddle steamers were built at Goolwa. This documentary explores the lost history of shipbuilding at Goolwa and the craft of these early shipwrights.

Ute-opia — On Show

One of a series of films made for a National Motor Museum exhibition celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Holden Ute. It features Holden Ute owners sharing their passion for their beloved utes. Produced by the NMM and Starkey Video for General Motors Holden.

The Visionary Lights

Made for the OzAsia Festival. It explores the shared history of Adelaide, South Australia and George Town, Penang. Colonel William Light was the first Surveyor General for South Australia and planned the City of Adelaide, he was born in Penang. His father, Francis, was the founder of the British colony of George Town. Adelaide and George Town, Penang have a Sister City relationship which was signed into being in 1973. Adelaide Festival Centre, Migration Museum and Adelaide City Council collaborated on the film. The Adelaide Plains are the traditional lands of the Kaurna people.

Returning Figures

In 2005 one of Australia’s foremost sculptors, Greg Johns, created 14 sculptures to be installed on the island of Ibiza, Spain. The largest public art commission undertaken by an Australian artist in Europe. This 30 min doco follows the conception, construction and installation of the sculptures, explores the artists motivations, and touches on the history and culture of Ibiza. Launched at the South Australian Art Gallery it was picked up and screened on ABC national television in Australia.

Thrown Over: Burial at Sea

Commissioned by the South Australian Maritime Museum. Screened as part of the ‘Rough Medicine: Life & Death’ in the Age of Sail exhibition. The film and exhibition toured Australia into 2017 including at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Western Australian Maritime Museum, Geraldton Museum, Albany Museum, and Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery.

The Path of Totality

An independent hour long documentary produced to commemorate the 2002 total solar eclipse that passed over outback South Australia. The film features footage and photographs of the total solar eclipse combined with interviews and reactions from a wide variety of characters including eclipse chasers, astronomers, ravers, astrologers and cynics. Selected to play on 600 screens around Australia and New Zealand for National Science Week. The 2012 release includes additional scenes, enhanced audio and visual aspects. The DVD includes 5 additional features.

Edge of Nothingness

Follows artist Andrew Baines as he takes his human art installations from the Australian coastline to the centre of Sydney. Andrew is a painter who takes some of his inspiration from staging surreal human art installations.

A & H Doddridge Blacksmith Shop

Located on the Main Street of Angaston, South Australia. Rich in history with over 130 years of blacksmithing at the site and many of the original tools and equipment on display the shop is a working museum dedicated to the skills of the blacksmith. You are invited to come and experience one of the oldest working main street ‘smithys’ in South Australia.