Arthur Lawrence, Photography by Robert Hiette
Over 14,000 World War II Veterans are living quiet lives all over Australia and one group is on a mission to find them. The Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) is setting out on one of the most ambitious photographic projects ever undertaken in Australia – to commemorate our unsung heroes of World War II in print.
The Reflections: Honouring our World War II Veterans project will provide a compelling pictorial record of returned servicemen and women living in Australia for the Australian War Memorial archives.
Reinforcing the ANZAC tradition, “We will remember them”, professional photographers across the country, accredited by the AIPP, are donating their time and talent in a unique community project. This is a strictly, not-for-profit project and any profit from the resale of photographs will be donated to Legacy and the RSL Foundation.
AIPP Photographer, Megan Rizzo said, “The AIPP wants to honour veterans, whether from Australia or elsewhere, as living tributes to a time of heroism and nationalistic pride, by capturing and publishing their portraits in print.
“What better time to capture our living heroes than now, and commemorate 100 years of the ANZAC tradition and the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII,” he said.
“Letters and printed photographs meant absolutely everything to them back then, telling the story of their lives in their youth. It’s only fitting to contrast this with their senior years in the same way, in a timeless gift to them, their families and the nation.”
“In this digital age when images can be lost in an instant, photographers know it’s the power of quality photographic prints that lives on, capturing a person, a moment in time and preserving it forever,” Megan said.
AIPP have partnered with the Australian War Memorial and the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) and all portraits will be gifted to the Australian War Memorial’s collection.
WWII veterans are encouraged to register at www.aippveterans.com/veterans. Each veteran will receive a complimentary Kodak printed portrait in a presentation folder to commemorate their service given some 75 years ago.
For more information on the AIPP Reflections project visit www.aipp.com.au/about/the-aipp-reflections-project
