Untitled [Maree McLeod and Merlene Maynard]

Photographer Ricky Maynard (1953)

Date1985

Object number00018072

NamePhotograph

MediumSilver gelatin print, fibre based paper

DimensionsDisplay dimensions: 43.5 x 59 mm
Image: 19.2 x 30.2 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis photograph was taken by photographer Ricky Maynard in 1985. Ricky Maynard is a documentary photographer and for generations his family have returned each year in March to the islands of Bass Strait to catch mutton birds and prepare them for sale. The Australian National Maritime Museum approached Ricky Mayanrd to chronicle the traditional practice of mutton birding by the Aborginal people of Bass Strait Tasmania. These photographs were taken in the Coorong area, Murray Lakes Region, South Australia, where mutton birding also takes place by the Ngarrindjeri People. The resulting series of black and white photographs became known as The Moonbird People. The photographs in the Australian Maritime Museum's Collection were chosen by Ricky because they show the different aspects to work and the different people in their tasks. Ricky has shown each person in their own landscape. HistoryMuttonbird hunting is a central part of Tasmanian Aboriginal life that has been practiced for generations. The migratory birds travel annually from the north Pacific to nest in south-east Australia, specifically around Tasmania. It is one of a small group of Australian native birds that are commercially harvested for their meat, oil and feathers. Each year the hunting season is restricted to 27 March through to 30 April in order to stop over harvesting. This industry is an important aspect of contemporary Aboriginal community and culture in Tasmania. Today hunting muttonbirds is associated with preserving Aboriginal culture and respecting Indigenous land rights. Maynard's family has returned to the islands of Bass Strait each year to catch and harvest muttonbirds. The event is a commercial exercise that also has great cultural meaning.SignificanceThis photograph is a unique documentation of Aboriginal culture, traditions and lifestyle in Tasmania. It is part of the body of work produced by the respected Indigenous photographer Ricky Maynard in 1985.