Three photographers from the Illawarra Mercury have successfully completed an ambitious project documenting the diverse faces and stories of their local community. The "170 Faces of the Illawarra" project showcased the remarkable individuals who call this New South Wales region home, capturing their unique contributions and spirit through intimate portraits.
Robert Peet, who arrived in Wollongong just over 30 years ago, has spent the majority of his career at the Illawarra Mercury documenting the people and stories that define this incredible region. "The Illawarra is full of remarkable individuals, each with a story worth telling," he explained. "It's their resilience, passion, and generosity that make this region truly special and a place that I'm proud to call home." For Peet, the 170 Faces project served as a powerful reminder of everyone's unique contributions to the area, photographing many locals for what wasn't their first time in front of his camera.
Reflecting on his extensive career, Peet acknowledged the emotional range of his work. "My career has shown me the very best and sometimes the most challenging moments of life. But through it all, it's been the people of the Illawarra - their trust, their stories, their spirit, that have made it all worthwhile," he said. His three decades in the region have given him deep insight into the community's character and the stories that matter most to local residents.
Anna Warr, who has been with the Mercury for six years, brings her own passion for connecting with people from all walks of life to the photography team. "It could be the mayor, an elite athlete, a person who has saved someone's life or someone in the street. Sometimes we are photographing people on the best or worst day of their life," she explained. This diversity in subjects has shaped her understanding of the responsibility that comes with her role as a community photographer.
Warr emphasized the privilege inherent in her work and the trust that subjects place in her. "I get to step into people's world for a brief moment and am entrusted with the task of capturing an image that represents them," she said. "It is very much a privilege to do this for a living. I don't take it for granted and I love doing it." Her appreciation for this responsibility has grown throughout her six years documenting the Illawarra community.
The unpredictable nature of news photography has provided Warr with memorable experiences that showcase the dynamic nature of her profession. She recalls one day arriving at work only to be told she would be going up in a helicopter to photograph the departure of the Ruby Princess from Port Kembla. Another assignment took an unexpected turn when she headed to a local high school for a story about the Higher School Certificate (HSC), only to find the school had gone into lockdown. "Obviously the lockdown became a far more important story!" she noted.
One of Warr's most impactful projects this year involved creating a photo essay that introduced readers to the itinerant residents of Kully Bay, who have since been evicted from Lake Illawarra. "I was genuinely interested in finding out how these people came to be living in a caravan in a carpark, and also what they would do once that was no longer an option for them," she explained. This project demonstrated her commitment to telling the stories of all community members, regardless of their circumstances.
Adam McLean's journey with the Mercury began 30 years ago when he arrived as a 17-year-old Year 11 work experience student. His initial interest in sports photography quickly evolved when he was thrust into breaking news coverage. "I did some work experience with the photographers there, wanting to be a sport photographer, but I think it was maybe the second time I came in there was an incident down at what was the old Telstra building at Crown and Kembla streets," McLean recalled.
That early experience proved to be a defining moment in McLean's career path. Former Mercury photographer Hank Van Stuivenberg took him along to cover the incident, providing him with a couple of rolls of film and a camera with the simple instruction, "here you go." The situation involved a man who had threatened to blow up the building because he was unhappy with his bill, resulting in a significant police response. "There was kind of a SWAT team there, snipers and all sorts, and I kind of thought, this is pretty exciting. I might do this for a job!" McLean remembered.
Throughout his three decades in photography, including a stint at The Canberra Times, McLean has worked alongside numerous photographers and learned valuable techniques from each mentor. "Everybody gives you a certain snippet of inspiration. I remember Ken Robertson's style of flash photography is something I probably still use to this day," he explained. Former picture editor Kirk Gilmour also left a lasting impact on McLean's approach to photography, particularly in capturing authentic emotions in portraits.
McLean particularly praised celebrated photographer Sylvia Liber, describing her as "one of the great portrait photographers" from whom he has learned valuable techniques. However, he also acknowledged the emotional challenges that come with covering difficult stories, particularly those involving loss and grief. "It's hard when you're with people who have lost a loved one, and you sometimes feel uncomfortable asking them to have their photo taken, but it's important to get their stories on the record photographically," he explained.
The sensitive nature of grief photography requires a delicate balance between journalistic duty and human compassion. "You can feel a little bit voyeuristic. You don't want to impose on people, but then the message sometimes can be quite important," McLean noted. His approach focuses on dignity and justice for his subjects, ensuring that even in difficult circumstances, people are portrayed with respect and humanity.
When approaching community members for the 170 Faces project, McLean found widespread enthusiasm for the initiative. "In approaching people to be part of the 170 faces project, people were really interested in the idea. I really tried hard with this one to get as much diversity in faces that I could," he said. This commitment to diversity ensured that the project truly represented the broad spectrum of the Illawarra community, showcasing the region's rich tapestry of residents and their individual stories.
