They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

The Ode from “For the Fallen”, Laurence Binyon 1914

Anzac Day (April 25) is an incredibly important day for Australians (and our Pacific friends), commemorating the sacrifice of all servicemen and women in conflicts around the world. While it initially began with the 1914 landings on the Gallipoli peninsula, the Anzac tradition of courage, mateship and fortitude has become part of our national identity.

It was with great pride and reflection that I again made the journey through morning services on April 25 a week ago and also went to the parade through the city centre. I wrote up a piece on the day for Global Issues in Context that you can read here.

I only took my point and shoot digital to the events but here are some of the shots. The first three images were taken at the 6.30am service at the Toowong memorial in Brisbane, April 25, 2010.

The second group of images were taken at Anzac Day parades in Brisbane city, both this year and from a few years back.

And the final images are from an incredibly moving Anzac Day service I attended on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in about 2002.

I headed to the Brisbane Powerhouse last week to catch the final few days of the exhibition “Then and Now: Eight South African photographers”. There were 80 images in the exhibition highlighting the before and after of apartheid and what that has meant for South African society.

It was an incredibly powerful visual journey through the struggle against this terrible law, and the reality of dealing with entrenched attitudes in the decades afterwards.

There were fabulous portraits of anti-apartheid campaigners, white and black South Africans queuing for the first post-apartheid elections together and workers travelling on buses for up to eight hours a day.

The photographers themselves described their personal journey through the changing period as well. Many commented how glad they were when Nelson Mandela was finally elected as they hoped it would be the end to all the bloodshed, violence and despair they had documented for so many years.

The photograph used above is the key advertising image for the exhibition. The caption is:
The commando of National Party supporters that escorted the late Dr Hendrik Verwoerd to the party’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The middle horseman in the front rank is Leon Wessels, who later became Deputy Minister of Law and Order in the National Party government. He was also the first senior member of that party to apologise for apartheid. De Wildt, Transvaal (North West Province), 31 October 1964

You can see a full list of slides and captions at this website.

I’ve been a bit overwhelmed with work the last month, some of which took me, figuratively that is, to Bali in Indonesia. I recently wrote a piece for Jetstar Asia on a scooter tour of the island that featured some of the island’s scenic and quieter corners. It was wonderful to think of the peaceful green fields, beautiful beaches and friendly people – a great respite from my busy life here at present in Brisbane.

Fortunately I had previously uploaded these images to the site so they’re all available at www.visitedplanet.com! These images encompass Ubud and Amed primarily and a few other stops on the North Coast. Enjoy.

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Feel free to email Jo at admin@visitedplanet.com with your comments/thoughts/photo aspirations.  See and learn more at www.visitedplanet.com

Here is another selection of images from my recent trip to New Zealand. These are highlights from the Central Otago Rail Trail, a 160km, 4-day bike through the rugged plains and farmland of the region between Dunedin and Queenstown.

A journey along the Rail Trail is all about meeting people in the small towns, the history of the gold mining and farming that brought people here and incredible landscapes.

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Feel free to email Jo at admin@visitedplanet.com with your comments/thoughts/photo aspirations.  See and learn more at www.visitedplanet.com

Dawn near Waipiata

One of the tunnels on the trail

Taieri Gorge train to Dunedin crossing a viaduct

Bikers on the trail near Waipiata

Sheep on the Maniototo plain

Otago Central Rail Trail

Characteristic stone farmhouses

Viaduct in dramatic setting

Tors in rocky farming country

Soaring mountains, ancient tundra, crystal clear rivers, Lord of the Ring’s locations and frolicking wildlife… yes you guessed it, I’ve just spent the last few weeks in New Zealand. If you’re interested in reading blogs about my time there go to Asian Correspondent.

I will be uploading images of New Zealand to Visited Planet in the coming weeks. However over the next few days I’ll try to give you a selection. Here’s some shots of wildlife and scenery of the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin.

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Feel free to email Jo at admin@visitedplanet.com with your comments/thoughts/photo aspirations.  See and learn more at www.visitedplanet.com