Here are some of the many photos taken by Bundaberg's talented, unforgettable and international award-winning photographer, the late Ray Peek who left us 10 years ago – after spending decades documenting images of the Bundaberg region, always capturing the essence and diversity of its people in his intimate portraits.
Space does not allow to mention the many professional and personal accolades and hilarious exploits that filled Ray's busy and colourful career in his beloved Bundy.
Born in Gin Gin, he attended Bundy High with his first job aged 17 at Ross Studios where he fell in love with photography; opening his own studio in Earls Court (later relocating to his picturesque premises in Walker St) specialising in weddings, portraiture plus assignments with News-Mail, Coastline Newspaper, Bundaberg Sugar, Versatile Toft and national companies. He also taught at TAFE.
Big Winner
Ray won 1st Prize in the prestigious Hasselblad Portrait Prize in 1986 (with “Armless” pictured) and 5th place in the US Camera World Competition. In M.I.L.K. (Moments of intimacy, love and kinship) with 40,000 entries from 70 countries, his photo of Morris Dingle and grandsons mustering cattle was voted Best From Australia.
PEEKS at Peek - In the 70s Ray published his popular magazine PEEK with local portraits, community groups, social pics, stories and personalities capturing his subjects' unique spirit in a way only Ray could.
In 2008 “PEEK – a Peek at Life” is a superb hard cover (with foreward by former News- Mail and Courier- Mail Editor Greg Chamberlin) and in 2017 an exhibition of his life's work was held at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery.
Some famous faces captured by his camera over the years included David Helfgott (famous pianist from Shine) Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, Miss Australia winners, and actor Jack Thompson (who was living with two sisters in a polyamorous relationship). Ray commented “You obviously had a very good mother Jack”
“Why do you say that?” he replied
“Well she taught you to share,” said Ray.
“Happiest 30 years of my life”
Pat Peek who was married to Ray for 30 years, caring for him in the 8 years following a heart attack said “They were the best 30 years of my life; Ray was such a lovely person and good-natured always, even towards the end finally succumbing to a brain tumour at home with those close to him by his side,” she said.
Here are some of the many photos taken by Ray Peek including Alf Garnett and Si Joh Bjelke Petersen .
