The Camera Saga, Circa 1965.

Photo, My Grandmother Sarah Audrey Higginbottom, Circa 1960. With her car.

My Grandmother Sarah Audrey Higginbottom, Circa 1960. With her car in the background.
She brought up six children during the Great Depression, and learnt to drive when she was some 60-years-old, an achievement which was the source of much pride and fascination.

Photo, Off to School, Circa 1960.

Scenes from 123 (now 137) Wallamutta Road, Newport, Sydney, Australia. Circa 1960.

Feeding Parrots, Wallamutta Road, Newport, Sydney. Circa 1965.

Off to High School, 1965. Wallamutta Road, Newport, Sydney.

My mother, Nola Lorraine Stapleton, Circa 1965.

My father, Andrew William Stapleton, Circa 1965.

Report, Pittwater High School, June, 1966.

Early attempts at photography, mother Nola, brother Doug, Circa 1966.

Early attempts at photography, brother Doug and mother Nola, Circa 1966.

Setting up tripod for camera, Wallamutta Road, Newport, Sydney, Australia. Circa 1966.

With camera, 123 (now 137) Wallamutta Road, Newport, Sydney, Australia. Circa 1966.

Photography, with my father, Circa 1966.

My father and I were getting on so badly that my mother campaigned for us to develop a common interest together, which turned out to be photography. It did not go well.

Photo, in park with younger brothers, Circa 1963.

Photos, early attempts, Circa 1966.

Early attempts at photography. I wanted to be everything, a photographer, a musician, a painter, a market gardener, a writer. 

Postcards from Coolangatta, 1967.

Postcards sent from Coolangatta. The assurances that I was out dancing every night having fun was not designed to reassure my parents I was a good Christian lad. I was yet to turn 16, and therefore could not legally leave home.

 

Photo, Grandmother, Mary Anne Stapleton, Circa 1970.

Photo, Grandmother, Mary Anne Stapleton, Circa 1970. My father's mother.
She, like my grandmother on my mother's side, brought up six children during the Great Depression. She was a bustle of a woman, and would never stop working.

Postcard, Stella Maris, 1967.

I became so impossible that my parents sent me off for a holiday on my own to Coolangatta. I stayed in this guest house, Stella Maris. I loved it.

Photo, Unhappy, Circa 1965.