Camera Woman - Pioneer
AU$35
of $3,000 targetyrs ago
Closed on 30th Apr 2017 at 9:20AM.
In the 1960s it was unheard of to find a news camera woman turning up to fires, murder investigations and heated political debates. Women still had not achieved equal pay status and the establishment of women's movements was almost a decade away.
Her amazing story is a slice of televison news cinematography capturing serious and sometimes humorous situations.
Patricia Walter broke the mould and advanced the status of women throughout her filming career.
Despite resistance by some male colleagues when she started her role as a stringer for ABC television news, she gained acceptance due to her professionalism.
The following is a quote from Camera Woman by Pat's News Editor...
Graham Netting told me years later “You were quite historic. I don’t know if you realised that at the time. When you came in on the staffside there was quite a lot of eyebrow raising around the place, as you can well imagine, because up until then the field had been male dominated everywhere in the ABC. It was thought the gear would be too heavy and the job unsuitable for a woman”.
Again many years later in response to a magazine article about me as a pioneer camerawoman, John Kelly who had accompanied me on that first tragic assignment was quoted:
“Pat and I shared the horror of the plane crash in which four young guys from Mt Gambier died. Pat showed professional skill under conditions which made even police and the St John’s crew shudder. After filming the national story on the tragedy our first stop was a nearby bush pub where I bought Pat and myself double scotches! Bravo, Pat!” The letter was signed by John Kelly, of Wollongong.
Her friends included Malcolm Ludgate (ACS) - http://www.Seafilms.com.au and his film work 'Antartica,' for IMax and Beyond 2000.
Patricia associated with cinematographers including Dean Semler who won an Oscar for cine photography in the film 'Dances with Wolves.'
Patricia appears in Martha Ansara's book - 'The Shadow Catchers,' depicting the history of Australian Cinematography.
http://www.balladfilms.com.au/
Filming Premier Don Dunstan, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and the Royal Family were some of her many assignments.
Talks at high schools inspired young women to think about careers far beyond typical expectations.
The book not only provides an insight into the life of orphans and the living conditions of people, it also demonstrates
the compassion Patricia gained through her hardship that evolved into to her role as a camerawoman.
Further depiction of Camera Women can be found at the Facebook address:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1624618867842760/
If you are not sure about supporting this project please see the following survey link below:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DJKTKYX
CHAPTERS
Early Days (Coralie's Girl)
Early country life fosters adventurous spirit...
Orphanage life at ....
Working as a domestic for a Wayward Vicar...
Becoming a responsible young woman...
Tragedy cuts short a happy marriage...
From filming children to chasing fires..
Four killed in a plane crash...
The Beatles visit Adelaide in 1964...
Stringing along with Auntie ABC...
Filming news for Channel 10
Filming Here's Humphrey...
A tale of two organs...
Myponga Rock Festival...
Demonstrations in Victoria Square...
Sucking up elusive black gold on an oil rig...
Hounds turn on camera operator...
Army exercises and 100 naked men...
The jagged edge...
Embarrassing moments...
Laying the Alice Springs railway line...
Shark hunt .... and lots more
Cyclone Tracy
Prime Minister Gough Whitlam sacked...
Royal occasions...
Ash Wednesday 16th February 1983...
Maralinga nuclear controversy...
Cameras used throughout my Career...
The end of an era...
Below is an anecdote about one of Patricia's assignments...
Humphrey Bear Got Hungry!
Apart from ABC Channel 2, Patricia would occasionally work for Channel 9
that had a long running popular children's program 'Here's Humphrey.'
An animated and miming bear that wore a big colourful tie.
Humphrey had a number of suit wearers over time and had an important role in
the lives of children as a role model. The producers decided to get Humphrey out
of studio confinement and into adventures with groups of young school children.
We believe this was actually Patrcia's suggestion. Humphrey's favourite food,
naturally honey and as an icon his liking was firmly established this in the mind's
of children. Humphrey was noted for getting into trouble pursuing his favourite
sticky food.
One of Patricia's filming assignments for Channel 9 South Australia was to show
Humphrey and children having a great time in a city park for which Adelaide is well known.
During a filming break Humphrey slipped away from the main school group and hid
behind a big tree some fifty meters away. To seek ventilation on what was a very hot day.
Behind the tree Humphrey struggled with the suit and gushed out loud with a few
expletives about it being so hot. We were near enough to hear the protestations.
Unbeknown to Humphrey a young boy admirer around five years of age had tailed
his idol to the tree.
The young boy raced away from Humphrey and towards his teacher, yelling in consternation
that 'Humphrey had eaten a man.'
This was a lesson that the teacher was not prepared for as other children rallied to the boy
who appeared traumatised. The teacher quickly said that 'everything was OK,' and that
Humphrey was practising a voice because he had been a silent bear for a long time.
This explanation calmed things down and Humphrey returned to his role of being the children's
favourite, silent fun bear performing antics.
The teacher deserved an award for preserving the faith of the children.
On the way back to her car Patricia suppressed her laughter about another 'fine mess' Humphrey
had gotten us into and recalled her belief in the fabled 'Father Christmas.'
What others Say....
"If only some of the others could have been like Pat Walter; she was the best one to work with!' - Prue Goward, former ABC journalist.
" Pat's work was always first class. She showed flair out of the ordinary for being able to create a most noteworthy news film." - Allan Anderson retired News Editor Channel Ten News.
How The Funds Will Be Used
PRODUCTION COST
* $2000 Interior design and print preparation
* $1000 Hard copy printing
Any additional funds will be put into marketing and an ebook version.
Patricia had aspirations of being a writer and instead wrote her autobiography.
The Challenges
The story of Patricia's worklife has not been professionally marketed.
By reaching 800 book sales it will go to large scale distribution and reach bookstores.
Once the ball is rolling versions can then be produced in diffrent languages to reach into other
cultures about the role of women in professional fields.
Receive one book.
Patricia began her illustrious career as Australia's first female professional news cinematographer, a career which spanned 22 years..... For half the expected retail price be the first to also get a free contact code offer. An example will be shown in the book.
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Est. delivery is Jun 17
Receive two book copies.
Far from treating her with kid gloves, television news editors often assigned her the most gruelling jobs, ones that her male counterparts shunned or simply could not stomach... Get two copies for yourself and a friend. Help boost sales numbers. A free contact code will also be offered at a later date with thanks.
0 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 17
Receive three book copies.
Pat's determination to pursue the role of camera operator in a male dominated preserve in the sixties stemmed from her incredible childhood experiences... More copies sold will help to reach a distribution target. Please offer copies to friends. Camera Woman will be the first book to contain a contact-code that is a permanent address system for authors. A free copy will be offered to contributors at a later date.
1 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 17
Receive four copies of the book.
A strong willed young woman, Pat tackled work and life with the same gusto despite continuing setbacks including the loss of her husband in a motorcycle accident and having to raise three children... Please offer copies to friends and organisations. At a later date a free contact code offer will be made to subscribers.
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Est. delivery is Jun 17
A five book pledge for groups, schools, libraries.
Pat was never afraid to tackle the jobs her male counterparts did and learnt a lot from them. However she was sure to include a female perspective as a woman unique amongst a group of talented cameramen. Multiple book pledges are aimed at distribution to group and organisations such as libraries with your help. Camera Woman contains the world's first contact code that is a permanent address. A free copy will be offered to subscribers at a later date.
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Est. delivery is Jun 17
Receive ten copies of the book.
Camera Woman is a well written autobiography that not only details the life of a spirited pioneer but also gives insight into the lives and events which have shaped the lives and social history of Australia... Please allocate copies to groups and organisations. Thank you for your support.
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Est. delivery is Jun 17