Indigenous Journalist's Photos Preserve 50 Years of History

For Wayne Coolwell, photography wasn't just a hobby. It was his way of preserving moments that mattered, faces that deserved to be remembered, and stories that needed to be told.

The Mununjali and Wangerriburra journalist, broadcaster, and photographer died last year at 68, leaving behind thousands of 35mm film photographs documenting Indigenous Australian history. His collection, now on exhibition at the State Library of Queensland, captures everything from intimate portraits of musicians Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter to powerful images of communities across Australia and around the world.

Coolwell's journey began in childhood when he climbed onto a chair to reach National Geographic magazines stored on a high shelf. The vibrant photos inside transformed him instantly. "I just always loved the still image, getting that moment in time," he said in a 2023 oral history recording. "It just was magic."

He took his first photo in 1968 with a box brownie camera. That simple start led to a groundbreaking career that broke barriers for Indigenous Australians in media.

Coolwell worked for Queensland Newspapers in the 1970s and contributed to European publications before joining the ABC. There, he became the inaugural presenter of Speaking Out, the network's Indigenous current affairs program on Radio National. "It was a program run by First Nations people, but for everyone, both black and white," he explained.

His camera followed him everywhere. Whether setting up ABC Sports in Darwin in 1988 or interviewing legendary figures like Ernie Dingo and Neville Bonner, Coolwell documented it all on film. He particularly loved capturing Indigenous athletes, celebrating what curator Serene Fernando calls "emerging excellence" in the community.

The 1990s brought some of his most powerful work. Coolwell traveled extensively, speaking with Indigenous communities and photographing their stories. In 1993, he published "My Kind of People," a collection of personal portraits and stories of First Nations people who shaped Australian culture.

Why This Inspires

Coolwell's photographs do more than document history. They celebrate Indigenous identity and achievement during decades when those stories weren't always centered in mainstream media. Fernando notes that his visual journal shows "the strong storytelling emphasis that still photography can have" and his dedication to creating understanding through images.

What makes Coolwell's work particularly special is how he saw his role. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech and the 1968 Olympic protests, he understood that telling stories could change perspectives. His photos weren't just about capturing faces but about honoring dignity, preserving culture, and shining light on excellence.

"You can't ask for a more powerful decade than the 90s for Aboriginal people," Coolwell reflected. "So many stories, so many brave people, incredible time for Australia."

His images prove him right, one silver fragment at a time.