Australian Department

Damien Parer

Brilliant Photographer Leaves Australian Department

AMONG several resignations from the staff of the Australian Department of Information—which is not held in much respect by the various organisa tions which seek war information—is that of Mr. Damien Parer, a member of the well-known New Guinea family, who won great kudos as a camera-man with the Australian forces in Libya, Greece, Syria and New Guinea. Some of his work became world-famous—especially his pictures, taken from a plane, of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.

Probably the notable work of this young man did more than anything else to justify the existence of the Depart ment of Information. It certainly put this young man in the foremost rank of world news photographers.

It appears that young Parer was paid what is. in the circumstances, a very small salary, and, on top of that, his allowances were miserable. He received a whole 25/- per week, for instance, to cover “additional accommodation costs involved when travelling”—for which American photogranhers or correspond ents practically write their own tickets.

Mr. A. F. Parer, now manager of the Plaza Hotel, Sydney, a brother of Damien, told Sydney newspapers that the Department would not even provide Damien with adequate nhoto equipment for his job. He had to borrow from his friends equipment which the Department refused to obtain for him. Lack of proper organisation hindered him at every step.

The Rev, and Mrs. J. W. P. Gillan, of the Presbyterian Mission, New Hebrides, are at present in Melbourne on furlough.