4 minute read
Sugarcane influences the arts
BY ROBYN DEVINE
Marni Hine has worked for 12 seasons as a haulout driver in the thriving Burdekin district and over this time she has expanded her passion for photography and storytelling by shining a light on harvest time.
At the Burdekin Theatre in May, Marni held an exhibition of her photography, called Project Raw, as part of the Burdekin Shire Council’s Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival. With the success of this show Marni is keen to further expand on Project Raw and continue to showcase the industry and area.
“I intend to develop a book from the exhibition and call it Raw, as in the product is raw sugar, and raw has so many different meanings to it, it will take into consideration the occupations and work that people do in order to grow the raw product, it seems fitting,” Marni said.
“The people that do this job are really incredible and unique.”
Project Raw developed with input from The Delta Yarns, a not-for-profit group that explore and celebrate the Burdekin’s history, diversity, artistry, and idiosyncrasy. Christine Clark, a founder of Delta Yarns, suggested that Marni apply for a Regional Arts Development Fund grant from the Burdekin Shire Council and when she was successful, she said that was a ‘carrot in front the donkey moment’ that lead to the implementation of Project Raw
“I took my professional camera along to work and asked people there if I could take their portraits, as this is what the story is all about.” Marni said.
“There is lineal and lateral history in the industry, as the job brings people from all over the country as well as the world. And then there is also generational history.”
“There are so many different kinds of stories to tell, I tried to keep it simple as far as possible and focused on the one season of crushing.”
Initially Marni had an idea in her mind of the specific style of portrait she wanted the exhibition to explore. Coming from a fashion background, she wanted to portray the growers and contractors as individuals in their own style. Instead, Marni become a documentary photographer. Rather than it being about the photography or the photographer it was impossible for it not to become about the people and the environment. The portraits then were of the growers and contractors in their paddocks or vehicles.
“I designed a preset to keep the contrast of it all very similar, to be very punchy and bright because that is what Australia is. The country has a harsh light that can be very beautiful because of how high contrast it is.” Marni said.
“At different times of the day, depending on when people where available, I got different lighting situations. Sometimes ambient and flash would be mixed and sometimes it was just daylight”.
“Although I was born and raised in the Burdekin, I really knew nothing about cane growing up, surprisingly the industry is very much in the background despite it being all around you. I fell into working as a haulout driver when I returned to the Burdekin after 22 years away and I love it. Working in the industry has helped me appreciate where I am from a lot more.” Being a part of the industry no doubt earned Marni the trust of the subjects she photographed, since the experience of the photo shoot is very personal, providing an honest and raw close-up view of what happens on a day-to-day basis during harvest. Thus, providing a snapshot of the beauty, the challenges and the realities of the industry and the particularly picturesque Burdekin.
“This project has become especially meaningful to me because of the people I have worked with. Adrian Boccalatte is pictured in one of these images along with his two sons, Ken and Mark and a blue healer. Mr Boccalatte spent his entire life farming his property with his sons in Home Hill and sadly passed away doing what he loved. He never stopped working in the shed or in the paddocks. Mr Boccalatte left behind his loving wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The 2023 season was his last harvest. Adrian Cesare Boccolatte was 88 years old.”
Search for the hashtag ProjectRAW on Facebook and Instagram to follow the story of the Growers and Contractors in the Burdekin from a Haul Out/ Photographers view.
