Portfolio

Activate Business Port Pirie, was a locally-branded program that served as a pioneering force in the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem within the Port Pirie Regional Council area. The primary focus was on empowering job seekers aged 25 years and above, providing them with the necessary tools and support to create, connect, and activate their own businesses from June 2019 to April 2020. The program strived to revolutionise the region's approach to business startups, fostering a dynamic and creative environment that thrived on innovation. By identifying and unlocking untapped potential, we enabled early-stage startups, aspiring entrepreneurs, and passionate individuals within our community to learn, create, and connect.

The ultimate goal of Activate Business Port Pirie was to fuel new business development and explore innovative ways to activate space within the Central Business District (CBD). By fostering a vibrant and inclusive entrepreneurial community, we aimed to breathe new life into the local economy and create a foundation for sustainable growth.

The target audience comprised individuals aged 24-35 years old who operated hobby, home-based businesses. They were characterised by their edgy, non-institutional mindset, a passion for creativity, innovation, and a strong connection to the Port Pirie Regional Council area.

As we embarked on this transformative journey, we sought to encapsulate the essence of Activate Business Port Pirie through visual identity. Our creative concepts revolved around notions of growth, movement, excitement, energy, infinity, modernity, non-institutionalism, creativity, and non-conformity.

It was my pleasure to be one of the stakeholders of this amazing initiative, which empowered me to understand and then translate and create the branding and assets for the program. This included the creation of the Activate Business logo, posters, brochures, booklets, shop signage and digital assets for social media. You can view some of these brand assets in the portfolio below. The program was very successful and adapted in other regions.

It was an absolute career highlight for me to be part of the Nyrstar team, working in collaboration with the Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery, to deliver three captivating photographic history exhibitions from 2015 to 2017. These exhibitions aimed to showcase the rich history of the Smelter and Port Pirie to the local community.

Our objective was to curate a collection of historical photographs, documents, and artifacts that would reflect the unique and, at times, remarkable history of the smelters and the Port Pirie community. As part of this endeavour, I took on the responsibility of creating exhibition logos, designing the exhibition catalogues, producing large-format billboards, banners, invitations, newspaper advertisements, and developing website and social media assets. Additionally, I meticulously retouched and prepared the photographic assets for print.

The 2015 Families, Floods, and Furnaces History Exhibition took us on a journey back to Port Pirie's bygone era, uncovering the stories that shaped the city. During this exhibition, we had the pleasure of launching the book 'Bullion,' written by Andrew Male, which further enriched the event.

In 2016, we presented the Causes, Clubs, and Concentrates Exhibition, the second instalment in our annual trilogy of historical Smelter Photographic exhibitions. This particular exhibition commemorated the 125th year of operations at the Port Pirie Smelters, paying homage to the remarkable individuals who contributed to its success.

The final exhibition in the trilogy, held in 2017, was titled Transportation and Transformation. It revolved around the shared history of Port Pirie and its main industry. The theme of the exhibition centred on the idea that "Port Pirie's history is a city transforming." Each significant change in the city's past has been intrinsically linked to advancements in transportation, from bullocks to trains and trucks, and from sails to steam and modern freighters. Notably, the exhibition also acknowledged the upcoming transformation in the form of the Smelter Redevelopment, which was scheduled for completion later that year. As the site photographer, I diligently captured the dynamic action and transformation occurring across the smelter site for years, climbing high and low to document every aspect. A selection of my photographs was proudly showcased in this exhibition.

Participating in these exhibitions was a truly rewarding experience, and I am immensely proud to have been involved in preserving and sharing the history of Port Pirie with the community.