About

This project seeks to portray residents of the Goulburn Valley at their personal devotion or prayer, whatever shape or form this takes. The Goulburn Valley in Regional Victoria is an area where much settlement has taken place, in distinct waves from Europe and thereafter, from the Africas, the Middle East and South East Asia.

In this region we have residents of different cultures, different faiths – such as – African, Syrian, Afghani, Iraqi, Sri Lankan, Punjabi, Indian and the like.

Through the Shepparton Interfaith Network and Picnic 4 Peace, we have strong networking with peoples of different faith who have settled in the Goulburn Valley. These connections are strong through the monthly volunteer Picnic 4 Peace and similar interfaith events, and interfaith participation at the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District.

We seek to obtain confidence, trust and entrance to sacred activity to photograph and express prayer, faith and relationships with the Divine in different faith systems, and in the case of humanists and people of no faith, their values and reverence for life.

The project proposes to make 20+ photographic studies using a professional photographer in the region who is frequently engaged in multicultural and intercultural activities, and activities involving refugees and new settlers to the region.

We propose to exhibit the photographic studies – local art galleries or community centres and have presentation events in order to raise awareness of prayer and faith in different religions in locations where the resident population may be of Anglo-Saxon or Anglo-Celtic origin.

The outcomes we envisage will give evidence of shared values and shared experience of what it means to be human and participate in community life and have personal devotional praxis. This encapsulates Human Rights to Freedom of Religion and Belief: we illustrate (and give words) about people who are free to be themselves, expressing freedom of speech and religion, and peaceful assembly.