The Adventures of Tommi-Rae and Juanita:

"A long time ago in cinemas, there was a row of seats for blackfellas and seats for whitefellas on the other side and when the lights went out everyone would mingle” -Tommi-Rae Cameron, Age 10

I first met Tommi-Rae and Juanita when I was working in Wiluna, WA. They took part in a weekly after-school painting program I ran through the art centre. The girls would often drop-by after-school to tell me about their day and to kill time before heading home to share evening tea with their other nine adopted brothers and sisters and guardians. They both expressed interest in learning about photography and I was interested what young kids might get up to in a small remote community of 200 people in the middle of the Great Sandy Desert . After seeking the permission from their legal guardian, I followed the girls on their after-school adventures for two weeks with my camera.

During this time with Tommi-Rae and Juanita, I was magically transported back to a world filled with more hope, wonder, and make-believe. Looking at these photographs now, I think about the many conversations yet to be had in this country regarding race, cultural relations and the many social, health, and economic issues plaguing Aboriginal communities that only seem to be getting worse.

I will always wonder about little Tommi-Rae and Juanita and how they are traveling – I'm hoping onto bigger and better adventures.