HONOURING THE LEGACY OF INDIGENOUS DROVER'S
Photo: Ian Saltmere and Josie Rowlands top right corner ,Indigenous drover John Percy bottom right corner, Annie Ah-One's portrait on the left. Credit: David Pritchard
Photographer David Pritchard has dedicated his lens to documenting Indigenous Australians in the cattle industry. His latest exhibition, which centres on Indigenous drovers, emerged from a journey that began at Doomadgee rodeo in 2013, where he first photographed Indigenous rodeo riders. This initial spark ignited a broader exploration of the stories within the cattle industry, particularly the vital role played by women and Indigenous communities.
‘‘The results of that were fantastic. I really liked what I came home with. And so then I started doing more of that and travelling around, and in 2021, I was invited back to Normanton, where I done a fair bit of work”
Photo: Shirley MacNamara top left corner, Drovers Camp, Camoowea, Allan Rankin bottom left corner, Drovers Camp, Camooweal, Frank Holmes right corner, Camooweal Credit: David Pritchard
Pritchard's commitment to telling these stories culminated in his collaboration with Josie and Ian from a drovers camp. The turning point came during the Drovers Festival when he immersed himself in the community and captured the lives and experiences of Indigenous drovers. This resulted in a permanent exhibition that aims to educate and shift perceptions about Indigenous contributions to the industry.
‘‘The more Elder Indigenous men and women very reluctant to be photographed
Photo: Jackie Malhony, Camooweal 2023 bottom right corner, Margaret, Drovers Camp, Camooweal top right corner, Mavis Andrews, Drovers Camp , Camooweal bottom left corner, Frank Holmes 2, Camooweal top left corner. Credit: David Pritchard
David's commitment to telling these important stories has only deepened over time, and he now hopes to expand his exploration of Indigenous contributions to the Australian outback. Inspired by his work with Josie and Ian at the Drovers Camp and the profound experience of capturing the lives of Indigenous drovers during the Drovers Festival, David is eager to travel to the Pilbara. He hopes to document the vibrant culture of the region, focusing on the rodeos held there, which have become an integral part of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
David understands that many Elder Indigenous men and women are often reluctant to be photographed, and he approaches this with the utmost respect. By continuing to work closely with these communities, he aims to capture their experiences and the significant role they play in shaping the rodeo culture in the Pilbara, in a way that honors their stories and encourages a deeper appreciation for their contributions to the industry.
