See Keith Parsons and Elias Allanby’s photo essays in the ‘The long and the short of it 2012’ exhibition at The Big Screen Federation Square from 19 November to 10 December
For more information about the exhibition- http://www.stripbillboard.com/index.html
My series is called 'Essendon Croquet Club'
'Being a new member to the Moonee Valley region, I wanted to tell a story from the local community. On my way home from work one day, I walked past the croquet club. Firstly mistaking it for bowls, but then realising what it was. I knew immediately that I wanted to show other people this quirky sport.
I spent many Saturday afternoons sitting on the grass, exploring the club house, talking to the members and making new friends.
It was a very rewarding project for me and I think so for the members as well. It was a chance for them to show the community that their sport was actually pretty damn exciting and fulfilling.
I know that it would take countless days to get anywhere near the skill level that they posses.
My time at the Essendon Croquet Club was very fulfilling. I learnt a new sport and made new friends. Most importantly I had a good time and I hope that they did too.' www.eliasallanby.com
“Sandown Dogs” takes a closer look at Greyhound racing in the suburb of Springvale, deep in the heart of working class Melbourne. The track, built in 1935, enjoyed many years of success, consistently drawing large crowds to its race meets.
However in recent decades the monopolisation of the industry by the TAB and the rapid rise of online sports betting has reduced this previously popular spectator sport into mere content for betting markets. It is easy to imagine these empty stands once being filled with excited punters, instead the punters have long gone and the track displays the final desperate stages of a sport on its way out. www.keithparsons.net
