To coincide with the 2004 Athens Olympics, ABC Local Radio in regional
Australia ran Australian Snapshots – an initiative designed to inspire regular listeners to collect images of sports, leisure and daily activities that
connect their communities. The photos have now been developed and a travelling exhibition has been launched.
ABC Local Radio listeners around regional Australia were given the opportunity to win a 35mm disposable
camera, with the brief to photograph sports, leisure and other aspects of daily life that created a sense of
belonging within their community. Each station gave away three cameras.
The cameras were returned to the ABC for developing and with over 40 local radio stations participating –
from Tasmania to the Top End – the result is an impressive, spontaneous, photographic collection, portraying
communities nationally in 2004. Over 4,000 images have been captured, displaying a unique interpretation by
local people of their local life.
All shots have now been published through ABC Online (abc.net.au/snapshots). The specifically built
site sorts the photos by photographer, state and activity. Each photographer has their own page, with a small
biography and five of their best shots highlighted, while for the real enthusiast, the complete set of pictures will
be available to scrutinize at just another click away.
The site will also contain a readers’ poll, where the public can select their favourite shots, a selection of
desktop wallpaper and e-cards and a guest-book to discuss the photographs.
The best pictures will be selected and highlighted across the ABC Backyard site over the coming months.
The judging panel included Olympian and amateur photographer Shane Gould, along with representatives
from ABC New Media and Digital Services.
As an extension of this project, around 40 of the best photos will be included in a touring exhibition, which will
be launched at the Museum of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga, then then will move to Parkes Public
Library and then Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bunbury, Perth and more to follow.
Online, there will be a diary
for people to see where the exhibition is as it tours.