50,000 years ago, the Tiwi people settled on Bathurst and Melville Islands 60 km north of Darwin Australia.

12,000 years ago, the last ice age ended, resulting in sea levels around the Tiwi    Islands rising by 140 metres and isolating the Tiwi. They developed a separate language, and a culture which differs in many ways to Aboriginal culture in the rest of Australia.

110 years ago, when Catholic Missionaries arrived, the Tiwi were hunter gatherers; there were no permanent settlements.

33 years ago, I visited the Islands for the first time. I fell in love with the people and started to photograph them. Two books, numerous exhibitions, and thousands of photographs later, I am still photographing them.

1 woman, Gerardine, a highly respected Tiwi elder became my sister. She was my guide and interpreter, and the Tiwi accepted me from then on. The Tiwi Collection would not exist if not for Gerardine’s help.

“The Land Council is particularly impressed with your sensitive respect for Tiwi Culture and traditions, and the manner in which you have portrayed it”

Viewers should be aware this site contains references to, and images of deceased people