12 Australian Geographic
Highly respected wildlife photogra-
pher Esther Beaton shot her first
AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC feature in 1996,
travelling to far north Queensland to
document cane toads (AG 44). But
her latest contribution (page 38) took
her just a few kilometres from her
NSW Central Coast home. “When I
first heard of pearls being farmed in a
local estuary, I assumed they were
introduced and wasn’t very inter-
ested. But when I learned a native
oyster that naturally grew here was
involved, I was hooked,” Esther says.
“Unlike other assignments with
hardships like tough hikes or long
hours, this job was ‘cushy’:
no stomach-churning sea voyages,
just motoring across glassy smooth
estuary surface waters, seabirds
wheeling overhead. To get my camera
deep enough for the underwater shot
I needed I had to lean a long way over
so asked someone to hold my legs
firmly. They didn’t! I stayed out of the
water but bruised my hips. I’m proud
of the mysterious story-telling photo I
got (p39), but more proud of befriend-
ing the people involved. The story
turned out to be of plucky Aussies,
determined and resourceful, with a
deep love of and care for their
environment.”
Tim the Yowie Man found himself
far from water as he and Andrew
Gregory headed into the desiccated
NSW far west to see how prolonged
drought is affecting outback commu-
nities (page 72). “I didn’t know what
to expect in Wilcannia as my last
visit there was with my dad about
30 years ago,” Tim recalls. “It was
after dark and we had car problems.
Due to social unrest the local cop said
the only safe place to stay overnight
was the gaol. So that’s where we
bunked down for the night! The town
has changed so much since then and
is far more welcoming, showcasing
both its Indigenous and European
heritage. Now, instead of driving
through town with the doors locked
and windows wound tightly up,
travellers are staying overnight in
friendly accommodation, from B&Bs
to riverside cabins. To continue to
prosper, all the town needs now is
some water in the Darling.”Features editors: Joanna Hartmann, Hannah James
Regular columnists: Bruce Elder, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM, John Pickrell, Fred Watson AM,
Kel Richards, Tim the Yowie Man, Peter Rowland
More contributors: Carolyn Beasley, Esther Beaton, Linda Brainwood, Quentin Chester,
Andrew Gregory, Drew Hopper, Phil Jarratt, Grahame McConnell, Ron Miller, Michael Payne,
John Pickrell, Nick Rains, Mike Rossi, Don Sands, Michael Smith, Jessa Thurman, Tim the Yowie ManNotes from the f ield
PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY ANDREW GREGORYAUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC is printed in
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Email: [email protected]Notes from the f ield
Tim (left ) and Andrew
head underground, exploring
an opal mine in White Cliff s in
western NSW.