Off the beaten track [antikvár]

We have attempted to convey in pictures and words our feelings for this country and its unique wildlife; a country that we have come to love and appreciate better as civilization spreads and destroys more wilderness areas every year. There is beauty in a stark red desert or a small alpine flower, if one takes the time to notice and appreciate the natural things Australia has to ofFer. These things are all too often overlooked by people in a hurry. As you read our books and watch our films you will share with us somé of the real Australia that will soon be only a memory if we do not realize the need to set aside somé of these unique areas as reserves for the future. Ever since our first trek into the vast outdoors we have dreamt of making a television series to show this land of contrast to people here and overseas. Our first attempt was Down the Darling in 1963. We followed this with Wheels across a Wilderness, our continent spanning expedition in 1966. Encouraged by the success of these two films and the books of these trips, we ^mbarked on a 5,000 mile journey around the northern and eastern coast in an eighteen foot boát to film Open Boát to Adventure. These trips produced only one film each, which were shown several years apart and therefore lacked any sense of continuity. Many people wrote to us thanking us for showing them the Australia they would like to see, but could not. We would like to thank them for their encouragement that led us into making more films about Australia. Our chance to turn a dream into reality came when T.C.N. 9 accepted our proposal for a television series concerning the remote corners of the country. Many thousands of dollars are needed to make a film and a lot more to make an entire series. We were lucky enough to receive a loan from the Australian Film Development Corporation to help us to get the show on the road. The rest was up to us, and we spent months with maps and books sifting through ideas for interesting areas we could visit and film. Our group had expanded over the years and now includes our wives and my daughter, not forgetting our two dogs. As a family unit we work together to film the series and all of us double up on jobs with each becoming the photographer in turn. My wife Pat helps with the camera work and spends a lot of time with the camera in her hand. She alsó has young Kerry to look after. Travel with a small child adds somé problems but these are more than compensated for by the added family participation in our adventures. Mai is kept busy recording sound for our films as we now try to capture the sounds as well as the sights of the country. Mai alsó has to fit in somé still photography for our books. Laraine doubles as sound recordist when Mai appears in the film and she alsó helps with the stills. My job is to direct the filming and do the major part of the camera work for the series.