TRADITION ON DISPLAY TO WORLD
A PROLIFIC Australian photojournalist has won one of the world’s most coveted photojournalism awards for his story telling of traditional land management on country in West Arnhem land.
Shooting for the National Geographic, Matthew Abbott’s series Saving Forests with Fire documents the Nawarddeken people’s process of land management with the use of fire, known as cool burning.
Mr Abbott, the humble photographer he is, attributed the success of the story to the Nawarddeken people and the “incredible and important” work they did to protect and care for their country.
Documented over three separate trips to Arnhem Land in 2021, the photojournalist wanted to ensure full coverage of the story by being on country with the rangers for each season.
His series of images and words won the World Press Photo Story of the Year 2022.
Mr Abbott will fly to Amsterdam next month to receive the award and his story will feature in
National Geographic.