th Ave was the heart of the town of Midland last night as over 120 guests gathered together for the Binar fundraiser dinner to help those attending Cairns for the Australian Indigenous Basketball Championships
With a star-studded guest panellist lineup including Michael Walters, Tim Kelly, Greg Hire, Winston Abraham, Ashley Sharp, Maddie Allen and Nes’eya Williams, the room was filled with entertainment galore and plenty of laughter. Later in the evening, we enjoyed the music from Phil Bartlett and the Struggling Kings.
Plus some wonderful cultural performances from our young Binar kids.
I have been a Professional Photographer for almost 20 years and covered many projects and commissions. I’ve done most things within the industry. However, I have only done a little as a mine site photographer. But, what was my former life like? Well, I have worn many capes before and even wore my undies on the outside of my clothes(Well almost).
The first mine site experience
If you rewind the clock back 20+ years ago, I was plying my trade as a Boilermaker. Yes, that’s right, I was one of those guys that liked to wear leather and do it in all positions. I would weld, gouge, repair and manufacture all things metal. I spent many days away from home on mine sites all over Australia.
A New Career
Then one day, I decided on a change. I didn’t instantly put down the oxy torch and pick up a camera and I definitely did not consider becoming a mine site photographer. That would come a few years later. But it was while sweltering on a remote mine site in the blazing heat, with dust and fumes all around me, that I decided that I needed some kind of change.
Shutdown work
Recently a touch of curiosity got the better of me. A friend (let’s call him that) invited me to join him on a special mission to do a shutdown at a remote mine site in WA’s north. Without much hesitation and with the promise of treasure as a reward, I embarked on the journey.
The journey and the reward
Word probably won’t give a true indication of how much of a mission this was, so I hope that the pictures will give tell the story. It was a month in my life, I will never forget. Forever the social butterfly I made many new friends. It wasn’t quite boilermaking, however, I was able to lean on a few old tricks. Plus I learned a whole lot of new ones too.
So get make yourself comfortable. Sit back in your favourite chair with a bowl of ice cream and enjoy the show. My latest crazy adventure.
mine worker preparing to don acid suit before the job commences
