Jarrah, 2023
Jarrah Dundler, is a writer based in Kyogle NSW. This portrait is accompanied with text written by Jarrah that
were inspired by the image.
"If you were to peek through the window into the office of a writer at work, there’s a good chance you may find not actually find them at the desk writing.Instead, they may be engaging in other ‘essential’ writerly activities. Nursing a coffee and staring into space, mulling over a metaphor, working through a tricky plot point, or thinking about something entirely unrelated, like what they were going to cook their family for dinner that night. Or maybe they’ll be sifting through pages of a manuscript in-progress (that’s been in progress far too long), barely legible handwritten notes, and chapters that are typed and legible enough, but that are just not that good, with a sense of despair building, a feeling that the whole manuscript sucks, and the whole writing game is just too damn hard and they may as well give up, they may as well scrunch up the papers, light them up and watch them burn, and then sit around the little fire feeling the warmth of the flames on their skin and the warmth inside, the warmth of the knowledge that they won’t have to play this game anymore.
Or you may find them plucking one of their favourite books from their bookshelf, reading a scene that makes them smile, or maybe even laugh out loud, or a line of prose so crystalline that they’re awestruck, and for a second their entire being stills, and they’re reminded of the power of the word and of why they got into thisgame in the first place, why they picked up that pen, and with this reminder they gain a renewed sense of hope. They can do it after all.
And so, if you were to peek through the window of the office of a writer at work, there’s a good chance you may actually find them at the desk writing."
Bowie, 2023
I have been interested in survival and adventuring since I was about 9 years old when I went to a survival camp with my cousin, Baxter. There I learned crafting skills and I made a spear which I still have in my bedroom. This camp inspired me to further research and build my skills in bushcraft and building shelters. I live on the back of Fairy Mount in Kyogle and I love exploring up there every time I have the chance.
Seeing this portrait of myself and my things laid out on the floor makes me feel proud of my collection of survival gear and tools. The ten items laid out in the photograph are the items I would take with me if I was chosen to be on the TV show, Alone. My items have been collected from various places throughout my life. Some of my collection has been passed down to me from my uncle Geoff, who was also interested in the outdoors when he was a child. He sent me other practical gifts such as freeze-dried food and a Thermette which is pictured on the left. My uncle Geoff gave me a lot of inspiration.
I have continued to develop my skills since this photo was taken. I have improved my aim with my bow and arrow and I am a lot better at fishing. Survival skills is something that I will continue to practice for as long as I can.
