Flying wedge

This week I'm dipping in to the archive...going way back to 1992. I was relatively new to the Editorial photographic team at The Advocate Newspaper and fortunate to be involved in the coverage of one of the biggest stories in the paper's history (coverage that was to win the paper a Walkley Award).

First, a bit of background.

Burnie is a city of approximately 20,000 on the North West Coast of Tasmania. The "Pulp" (a pulp and paper mill), was by far the region's largest employer and in 1992 had about 1200 employees. A change of ownership and the resultant "downsizing" of employees triggered an industrial dispute of such a size and intensity that it had nationwide ramifications. In May 1992, 1100 workers walked off the job effectively shutting down the mill. Gates were locked and picket lines established. As the dispute dragged on emotions became frayed and long-standing working relationships suffered. Access through the picket lines for those wanting to attend work (mainly staff and management) became increasingly uncomfortable and difficult.

At times the Police were needed to facilitate access. This too escalated to the point that bus loads of Police were brought in to guarantee access through the use of a "Flying Wedge" through the main picket line. (see below)

Burnie Tasmania. 1992. Nikon FM2 28mm Kodak Tri-X. (400 iso)

Things were pretty intense shooting in the middle of the fray. No autofocus or image review in those days. The type of camera setup can be seen in the right of the frame...although most of the camera is obscured by the Metz flash (probably a 45CT-1)

Catch you next week.