Veterans captured in photos
A project honouring and documenting the efforts of World War II veterans visited Rockingham last week, with Photo Coffee owner Kingsley Klau volunteering his time to photograph the Diggers.
The Australian Institute of Professional Photography's Reflections: Honouring Our World War II Veterans project is marking the centenary of the Anzacs by photographing returned servicemen and women for the RSL and Australian War Memorial archives.
Mr Klau took 13 Diggers' photos on Friday and hoped to take about 30 more in the coming weeks for the nationwide project.
"It's a liberating experience and an honour as a professional photographer to do this," he said.
"The feeling is one of appreciation for what they've done and satisfaction to be able to use your craft in a positive way for future generations.
"You can see how proud the Diggers are of being appreciated for their efforts."
John Donaldson was pleased to be remembered for his service in the Australian Imperial Force in the clean-up and disarmament of Japan's weaponry, and helping civilians who survived the nuclear bombs.
"The country was bare, there was nothing, it was absolutely flattened except for a couple of concrete building ruins - the civilians had eaten all the animals, cats, dogs, birds, and were starving," Mr Donaldson said.
"They didn't want money, just food.
"At first, the Japanese were stand-offish but then they realised we were there to help them and that we were their friends."
Mr Klau looked forward to seeing the end product - a published book of the veterans' photos and their stories. He said this project would lead on to other groups being photographed, such as Vietnam veterans.
