AUSTRALIA’S premier war photographer and former Millicent resident Gary Ramage is showcasing his record of combat at a new exhibition at the Millicent Gallery.
More than 40 images taken by the triple Walkley Award-winning photographer and video journalist during the Iran and Afghanistan conflicts will be on display until the end of the year.
Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi said the exhibition was a unique opportunity for residents to view the realities of war and its impacts on people and places.
“Gary was in Millicent earlier this year and I suggested to him we hold an exhibition of his work at our gallery and he agreed,” he said.
“He has a background of photography in the army and with newspapers and we thought it was appropriate his exhibition be held around Remembrance Day.
“Gary is a nationally renowned photographer and has been a recipient of Walkley awards, which are the most prestigious media awards for his photography.
“We are very privileged to be able to host this exhibition because it is worthy of any metropolitan gallery.
“His exhibition depicts different aspects of war and some of the images are very confronting, while others reflect the life of the soldier on the frontline.
“Those viewing the exhibition will see world-class photographs from modern combat zones.”
The former Millicent High School student joined the Australian Defence Force in 1984, serving as an Australian Army photographer for 15 years before becoming the army’s chief photographer.
During his time with the army, Mr Ramage documented conflicts across the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Somalia, Bosnia, East Timor and Bougainville.
Mr Ramage left the army in 2004 and has spent the past 13 years covering federal politics for all titles across News Corp, including three federal election campaigns.
In 2015, Mr Ramage was awarded the prestigious Walkley Press Photographer of the Year accolade for news reporting, as well as winning gold in the photograph of the year for Ice Nation, a confronting image of a man in an ice-induced emergency.
In addition to still photography, Mr Ramage is also an accomplished video journalist and won the 2012 Walkley Award for best broadcast camera work for his coverage of a battle between Australian diggers and the Taliban.
The talented photographer’s autobiography The Shot was released by major publishing house Harper Collins in 2015 and details his experiences as a photojournalist in the world’s most dangerous locations.
While Mr Ramage initially planned to personally launch the exhibition, Mr Gandolfi said he was unable to attend due to work commitments in Iraq.
“Gary is having this exhibition because he is acknowledging his connection to the region,” he said.
“We anticipate that Gary will be able to visit Millicent later in the month and a function will be held where people will be able to meet him to discuss his career as a photographer.”
