Close up shot of doctor finishing stitching wound on Valerie Taylor's calf, holding forceps and tweezers
Date1953-2000
Object numberANMS1454[151]
NamePhotographic slide
MediumColour slide transparency
DimensionsOverall (inc carrier) 50 x 50 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Valerie Taylor in memory of Ron Taylor
DescriptionThis photographic collection represents the career of filmmakers and ocean conservationists Valerie Taylor AM (born 1935) and her late husband Ron Taylor AM (1934-2012). The couple pioneered skin-diving, scuba diving and underwater photography and cinematography in Australia. Valerie was national spear fishing champion for three years in the 1960s, Ron for four years, however the couple soon stopped fishing and shifted focus to shark research, photography and film. They made chain mail diving suits to film sharks and became strong advocates for shark preservation.
This photographic archive holds images of the many species of sharks documented by Ron and Valerie throughout their career. It features many of their iconic shots of the great white, and documentation of grey nurse and Port jackson sharks near their coastal home at Seal Rocks. Hammerhead, blue, white tip reef, wobbegong, tiger, silver tip, grey reef, and bull sharks are also included. Valerie and Ron Taylor’s research into shark behaviour and their vocal defence of sharks and the marine environment resulted in the protection of grey nurse and great white sharks in Australian waters. Ron died in 2012, and Valerie continues to take a lead role in marine conservation issues in Australia and overseas.