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Ron Taylor showing elbow after bite from Wobbegong shark with Valerie and man
Ron Taylor showing elbow after bite from Wobbegong shark with Valerie and man

Ron Taylor showing elbow after bite from Wobbegong shark with Valerie and man

DateFebruary 1980
Object numberANMS1454[292]
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.
Portrait shot of Ron Taylor on deck of boat at sea holding his left elbow while it bleeds
Portrait shot of Ron Taylor on deck of boat at sea holding his left elbow while it bleeds
Valerie Taylor
February 1980
Behind the scenes image from the television feature, Operation Shark Bite, that documented Ron and Valerie Taylor testing the efficacy of the chainmail suit (mesh suit) against shark bites.
Behind the scenes image from the television feature, Operation Shark Bite, that documented Ron and Valerie Taylor testing the efficacy of the chainmail suit (mesh suit) against shark bites.
Valerie Taylor
August 1983
Behind the scenes image from the television feature, Operation Shark Bite, that documented Ron and Valerie Taylor testing the efficacy of the chainmail suit (mesh suit) against shark bites.
Behind the scenes image from the television feature, Operation Shark Bite, that documented Ron and Valerie Taylor testing the efficacy of the chainmail suit (mesh suit) against shark bites.
Valerie Taylor
May 1981
Behind the scenes image from the television feature, Operation Shark Bite, that documented Ron and Valerie Taylor testing the efficacy of the chainmail suit (mesh suit) against shark bites.
Behind the scenes image from the television feature, Operation Shark Bite, that documented Ron and Valerie Taylor testing the efficacy of the chainmail suit (mesh suit) against shark bites.
Ron Taylor
August 1983
Behind the scenes image from the television feature, Operation Shark Bite, that documented Ron and Valerie Taylor testing the efficacy of the chainmail suit (mesh suit) against shark bites.
Behind the scenes image from the television feature, Operation Shark Bite, that documented Ron and Valerie Taylor testing the efficacy of the chainmail suit (mesh suit) against shark bites.
February 1980
Behind the scenes image from the television feature, Operation Shark Bite, that documented Ron and Valerie Taylor testing the efficacy of the chainmail suit (mesh suit) against shark bites.
Behind the scenes image from the television feature, Operation Shark Bite, that documented Ron and Valerie Taylor testing the efficacy of the chainmail suit (mesh suit) against shark bites.
August 1983
Valerie Taylor inspecting shark bite injury on Ron Taylor's left leg
Valerie Taylor inspecting shark bite injury on Ron Taylor's left leg
1953-2000
Ron Taylor's left leg with shark bite scarring on upper shin
Ron Taylor's left leg with shark bite scarring on upper shin
Valerie Taylor
1953-2000
Image Not Available for Valerie Taylor laying in hospital bed next to Ron, another two people and two doctors assisting her shark bite injury on lower calf
Valerie Taylor laying in hospital bed next to Ron, another two people and two doctors assisting her shark bite injury on lower calf
July 1980
Scuba diver testing out the chainmail suit (mesh suit) in early experiments using wobbegong sharks
Scuba diver testing out the chainmail suit (mesh suit) in early experiments using wobbegong sharks
Valerie Taylor
April 1980
Scuba diver testing out the chainmail suit (mesh suit) in early experiments using wobbegong sharks
Scuba diver testing out the chainmail suit (mesh suit) in early experiments using wobbegong sharks
Valerie Taylor
April 1980
Scuba diver testing out the chainmail suit (mesh suit) in early experiments using wobbegong sharks
Scuba diver testing out the chainmail suit (mesh suit) in early experiments using wobbegong sharks
Valerie Taylor
April 1980