HUW DAVIES GALLERY 24 April–11 May
 

 
I moved to the Captains Flat region in 2001 after returning from almost two years in the Northern Territory. During that time the cost of rental housing in Canberra had sky rocketed. I guess in the long run this worked in my favour because it forced me to look for somewhere to live in the surrounding district.

Captains Flat was more accident than planning. I knew nothing of the town or its history, let alone the people who lived there. At the time it had a population of around 400, one pub, one bowling/RSL club, a café and a post office—but no shop or service station. I used to joke that you could always get cigarettes and beer at the Flat, but not much else.

Seven years on the town has continued to redefine itself as more people like me move to the area, seeking relief from rising housing costs or a quieter life in what is still at heart a small country town.

Captains Flat is by no means unique in terms of its relationship with Canberra. Many small towns that pre date the creation of Canberra as the National Capital are within an hour’s commute. Over the years Queanbeyan, border town, has gained a reputation as Canberra’s less costly cousin, but relationships with Canberra extend well beyond border town.

Driven by my personal relationship with the town itself, the surrounding country and the people who live there, Captains Flat has become the primary focus for my take on what exists—the rich, surprising and sometimes complex community life—Beyond Border Town.

On Sunday 4 May from 1.30 to 3.30 pm PhotoAccess will present Sunday in the Gallery, a program to introduce people to making, showing and talking about photography.

Ed Whalan will speak about his exhibition, Beyond Border Town, a sincere and moving tribute to Captains Flat, showing until 11 May 2008.

Beyond Border Town tells us The Flat is more than a historic curiosity—a town abandoned by mining forty years ago and, according to local folklore, named after a bull (‘Captain’, a large white bullock would slip away from the rest of the team to graze on a grassy flat by the Molonglo River, now part of the town’s football field).

Ed’s memorable images of the landscapes and people of Captains Flat, shining a light on its ‘… rich, surprising and complex community life …’ challenge preconceptions about this place beyond Queanbeyan, Canberra’s border town.

Ed Whalan has been involved with PhotoAccess for more than a decade. As a staff and board member, tutor, mentor, adviser, event and exhibition coordinator and curator—and as an artist—he has been an inspiration and friend to countless established and aspiring photomedia artists in Canberra.

With Kerry Baylor, Robert Burne, Kathleen Fisher, Miguel Gallagher, Lorna Sim and Susan Stayer, Ed is a member of the ‘old spool Betties’, a group of photographers who aim to encourage each other by creating and commenting on images based on a weekly theme. Examples of their work and musings can be found at www.oldspoolbetties.blogspot.com.

Following the talk PhotoAccess Ed will host the Winter Shared Image, giving members an opportunity show and discuss their images with others. It will be a good chance to expose and talk about images for the 2008 Members Show (entries close on 11 May).

PhotoAccess and the HUW DAVIES GALLERY are open Tuesday to Friday, 10–4 and 12–4 on weekends in the Manuka Arts Centre, corner Manuka Circle and NSW Crescent (near Manuka Oval), Griffith.

Further information: David Chalker 02 6295 7810