_One Hundred to One:
An Australian Journey

The journey of a lifetime, not just once but a hundred times. With one life represented for each year of birth from 1901 to 2000, this book and exhibition were a unique celebration of a nation and its people.

The making of this award-winning 144-page coffee table book and exhibition saw Claire and I travel to every corner of Australia and everywhere in between photographing and interviewing the 100 magnificent ordinary Australians featured. The book and exhibition One Hundred to One: An Australian Journey were launched in Melbourne in May 2001 as part of The Melbourne Festival. The exhibition went on to travel to over 36 destinations. Educational materials based on the book were used in primary schools around the country.

Meeting and photographing the 100 people featured as a passionate (and pretty determined!) 23 year old saw my eyes opened widely to the triumphs as well as the struggles life as an Australian can serve and the resilience possible to overcome them. They were inspiring. Every single one of them. These 100 people and their stories impacted all who read them and changed my life forever.

It’s really important to note in the years that have past since it’s release the conversation around our nation’s history and journey and in particular First Nations peoples experience has deepened and broadened with greater awareness existing than ever before. I am proud of the First Nation representation in the book and are grateful for their honest and real contributions. Their stories provide us all with the opportunity to further reflect on and consider their life experiences up until 2001.

The Centenary of Federation provided opportunities for artistic, cultural and historical expression for this important project to exist and the lives of all of the participants to be celebrated that was bigger than the occasion and anniversary itself.

The year 2026 will be the 25th anniversary of the project. To celebrate I’ll be trying to locate the 100 people featured. I wonder what their lives look like now 25 year on? I know being so many years on participants will have passed away but I would still like to honour their memory through their family. I also specifically acknowledge some of the Aboriginal and Torres Straight people featured may have died and I pay my respects to their leaders past, current and emerging.

Can you help me reconnect with the 100 people featured in the book? Visit the One Hundred to One: An Australian Journey Facebook page to learn how and be a part of the celebrations.

A very limited number of copies of the book are still available for sale for $50 plus postage. Copies can be purchased via the contact button on this page.

Want to buy a book, know more or help celebrate the project’s 25th anniversary? Contact me! I’d love to hear from you!

**A full list of the 100 Australians featured in the book can be found on the book’s Facebook page!