I can’t help admitting this was the fun part of this build.
The eighties was the era when it all started for me not to mention the completely transparent working environment.
Back then you could say what you needed to say without feeling like you were being judged even though you probably were.
Computers were only just coming into the arena, every second person in the newsroom smoked and the Evil (Evening Star Hotel) was the office for many a hard nosed police roundsman.
As a young man on the rise I had the best job working for The Australian.
We were flown all across the country on human interest stories mainly environmental, cultural and agricultural.
One of the more famed editors Alan Farrelly, loved pictures and ran them big right across the page.
Australia was finally on the international radar and overseas acts where coming here to escape the northern hemisphere winter.
John Burney the photo editor knew of my interest in music so assigned me the press conferences and interviews of rock stars when they came to town which in the eighties, they did by the dozen. Some of those images you will find in the music category.
The eighties may have had questionable fashion, questionable pop music (still can’t stand the drum machine) questionable politics (nothing has changed there) but it had an energy that things were on the move and about to change.
Looking back, it was one of the most exciting periods of my career.
Intro
Photograph: Anthony Weate
Services
Photojournalism
Clients
News Corp/The Australian/The Daily Mirror/The Daily Telegraph
Prime Minister Paul Keating checks his hair before a press conference in Sydney (circa 1992)
Elle ‘The Body’ Macpherson chats with Prime Minister Bob Hawke at Kirribilli House after the Australian Wool Board Fashion Parade which saw the worlds top designers head Downunder ‘en masse in 1988.
A bridge worker stands on a rafter atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a press invitation celebrating its 60th anniversary in 1992.
Controversial figure of the radical feminist movement Germaine Greer back home in Australian during the mid 1980’s.
Actress Greta Scacchi arrives in Australia for the first time in 1983.
Australian impressionist Brett Whiteley in his Paddington studio while hosting the Bob Dylan press conference in February 1986.
‘Goons’ comedian Spike Milligan holds up the broken chair after this photographer fell flat on his face standing on it to achieve a better angle. Without barely a word Spike picked up a piece and framed his face. Clearly he knew the “better angle”. (March 1983)
Actress Rachel Ward in Sydney (circa mid 1980’s)
The body of Sallie-Anne Huckstepp lies in Centennial Park, Sydney in 1986. Her murder resulted in one of the longest-running inquests of its kind in Australia. There is no way media can get this type of access today unless you are there first.
Famed Australian ballet dancer Sir Robert Helpman in Sydney just months before his passing in 1986.
Queen Elizabeth 11 greets Australian entertainers Barry Crocker, Julie Anthony and Kamahl during the 1988 bicentenary.
Famed international soccer player, Pele in Australia (circa 1985).
A fireman carries a woman rescued from the Greek Nightclub fire in Sydney in 1981. I was just starting out on the road and had never seen firemen in action like this before. It was mesmerizing and I won my first major award with this frame.
Fashionista/producer/pop icon Malcolm McLaren who rose to fame after creating the ‘Sex Pistols’ in Sydney 1986.
American actor Alan Alda in Sydney during the mid 1980’s.
Vietnamese businessman and politician, Phuong Ngo who is now incarcerated for the killing of Australian MP John Newman. (Circa 1988-92).
Princess Anne in Sydney during the mid 1980’s.
Australian Rules wunderkind Warwick Capper in the Sydney Swans dressing room circa 1983.
Leader of the opposition John Hewson getting friendly with the children during the 1993 election campaign.
Australian historian Manning Clark at his Canberra home (circa 1988).
Donald ‘The Don’ Bradman widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time during a press conference (circa 1988-92)
Australian politician John Howard during his time as shadow treasurer in the 1980’s.
NSW Premier Neville Wran (right) shares a joke with fellow politician Al Grassby during Grassbys’ book launch ‘Six Australian Battlefields’ in 1988.
Prime Minister Paul Keating checks his hair before a press conference in Sydney (circa 1992)
Elle ‘The Body’ Macpherson chats with Prime Minister Bob Hawke at Kirribilli House after the Australian Wool Board Fashion Parade which saw the worlds top designers head Downunder ‘en masse in 1988.
A bridge worker stands on a rafter atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge during a press invitation celebrating its 60th anniversary in 1992.
Controversial figure of the radical feminist movement Germaine Greer back home in Australian during the mid 1980’s.
Actress Greta Scacchi arrives in Australia for the first time in 1983.
Australian impressionist Brett Whiteley in his Paddington studio while hosting the Bob Dylan press conference in February 1986.
‘Goons’ comedian Spike Milligan holds up the broken chair after this photographer fell flat on his face standing on it to achieve a better angle. Without barely a word Spike picked up a piece and framed his face. Clearly he knew the “better angle”. (March 1983)
Actress Rachel Ward in Sydney (circa mid 1980’s)
The body of Sallie-Anne Huckstepp lies in Centennial Park, Sydney in 1986. Her murder resulted in one of the longest-running inquests of its kind in Australia. There is no way media can get this type of access today unless you are there first.
Famed Australian ballet dancer Sir Robert Helpman in Sydney just months before his passing in 1986.
Queen Elizabeth 11 greets Australian entertainers Barry Crocker, Julie Anthony and Kamahl during the 1988 bicentenary.
Famed international soccer player, Pele in Australia (circa 1985).
A fireman carries a woman rescued from the Greek Nightclub fire in Sydney in 1981. I was just starting out on the road and had never seen firemen in action like this before. It was mesmerizing and I won my first major award with this frame.
Fashionista/producer/pop icon Malcolm McLaren who rose to fame after creating the ‘Sex Pistols’ in Sydney 1986.
American actor Alan Alda in Sydney during the mid 1980’s.
Vietnamese businessman and politician, Phuong Ngo who is now incarcerated for the killing of Australian MP John Newman. (Circa 1988-92).
Princess Anne in Sydney during the mid 1980’s.
Australian Rules wunderkind Warwick Capper in the Sydney Swans dressing room circa 1983.
Leader of the opposition John Hewson getting friendly with the children during the 1993 election campaign.
Australian historian Manning Clark at his Canberra home (circa 1988).
Donald ‘The Don’ Bradman widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time during a press conference in 1988.
Australian politician John Howard during his time as shadow treasurer in the 1980’s.
NSW Premier Neville Wran (right) shares a joke with fellow politician Al Grassby during Grassbys’ book launch ‘Six Australian Battlefields’ in 1988.