Oysters, whales and wine was the theme in Eden on Friday night, as the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre played host to the ‘Faces of Australia’s Oyster Coast’ travelling exhibition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A selection of photographer Heide Smith’s work was on display throughout the night, with oysters from estuaries including Wonboyn, Pambula, Merimbula and Wapengo on display.
Subjects of the portraits include Wonboyn oyster farmers Andrew and Ross Loftus, and Pambula’s Sue McIntyre.
“The whole exhibition came about when I was in Narooma, working on ways of promoting and marketing local oysters,” Australia’s Oyster Coast executive officer Andrew Wales said.
“Heide and her husband came to me and said, ‘We’re local photographers and we’ve taken a few photos of oyster farmers, would you like to have a look?’
“When she pulled out some of these photos, you can imagine what I thought.
“So for two or three months, I dragged Heide from the Shoalhaven all the way down to Wonboyn, to really showcase the work that goes on behind the scenes in this industry, and put a face to the industry.
“The result has been fantastic – this is just one way of raising the profile of Australia’s Oyster Coast.”
Mr Wales said the industry association, which came together last year, has been so well-received that the NSW Government is looking at using a similar model in industries like dairy.
He said the group has two main objectives – to create oyster tourism, which it has done through the oyster trail, and increase exports.
“Within the next three months, we’re going to start exporting locally grown oysters to Indonesia, China and Singapore,” he said.
“Traditionally, oyster farmers haven’t been able to export because they don’t have the volume individually, or even as a whole river.
“As this collective group, they can do that, and it really lifts the profile of the industry in this part of the world.
“We know that this area grows the best oysters in the world – it’s getting that message out there that is the key, and this exhibition is part of that.”
Photographer Heide Smith said she is thrilled with the exhibition’s reception.
She said that, as subjects, oyster farmers are “very real people”, which adds to the portrait.
“It’s really warts and all – there’s no glamour in it, even though you do get to see what beautiful people they are,” she said.
“It’s been a wonderful journey, and I’ve met so many amazing people who have given me nothing but cooperation.
“I just love photographing what I call ‘real people’ – the people in this industry are just so authentic.”
National Parks & Wildlife Service whale expert Geoff Ross also attended the event.
Mr Ross said his past experience in working with shorebirds gave him a different appreciation of each portrait.
“Not only do you see the people, but when you look behind them, you see the environment,” he said.
“The whole oyster farming process is very sustainable, so it’s great for the environment.
“You can’t produce good oysters without good waterways, so the work that is being done in this industry has really helped conserve the environment and some of the shorebirds that National Parks have worked to conserve for so long.”
‘Faces of Australia’s Oyster Coast’ is on display at the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery this weekend, in conjunction with the Eden Whale Festival.