The Basin State
The Team
BENJAMIN ALLMON: Project Manager, Author,
Film Producer
Benjamin’s work is defined by curiosity about others’ stories, a love of history, and self-deprecating humour. The relationships he develops - whether it is with Indigenous Elders, farmers, artists, scientists, or the everyday folk who dominate his stories - are based on trust, authenticity, and listening without judgement. It has enabled him to be welcomed into communities and homes that are otherwise closed to outsiders, a privilege he takes very seriously. He has written five books which exemplify this gentle, even-handed approach, including: Foot Notes (Finalist, Best Book Awards 2017), the story of his 1000km, 51-day trek along the Australian coast touring his debut album as a modern-day troubadour;
The Saltwater Story (finalist for the Premier’s Award for a Work of State Significance, QLD Literary Awards 2018), the story of his 3-day traditional canoe journey with the Bundjalung people of eastern Australia; and The Black & White Braid, the story of his and photographer Carin Garland’s 600km trek through Queensland’s Scenic Rim alongside Ugarapul elder Uncle John Long and into the lives of 140 rural folk.
He has co-curated two exhibitions from these books; The Black & White Braid (The Scenic Rim Centre 2021); and The Saltwater Story (Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Centre 2022-23). His 2018 debut as a film producer - the feature-length documentary The Saltwater Story - is distributed by Ronin Films, earned four awards at international film festivals, is screened in 53 countries, Docplay, QANTAS, The Archaeology Channel (USA), ABC International, the Black Screen Program, The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, and will be screening on SBS for 3 years, beginning in 2024.
A musician, composer, lyricist, and audio engineer of 25 years’ experience, he has recorded two albums and the award-winning soundtrack to The Saltwater Story.
He has written for numerous national and international publications, and is a member of APRA, the ASA, the APA, and the QWC.
DAVID KELLY: Photographer
David is a Walkley-nominated photographer (2006, 2012), winner of the 2020 Brisbane Portrait Prize’s Performing Arts and Music Award, winner of multiple Clarion Awards for best Photo-Essay, News, Sport, and Multicultural work (2009, 2010, 2012), and a multiple finalist in the National Portrait Awards and the Olive Cotton Portrait Awards. For 25 years he was the feature photographer for News Ltd, and the foundation photographer for the Courier Mail Qweekend Magazine (2005 – 2017). His portraits include David Gulpilil, Trent Dalton, Michael Zavros, the Dalai Lama, Steven Page AO, Tex Perkins, Billy Bragg, Troy Cassar-Daley, Kylie Minogue, Jonathon Thurston, Anthony Mundine, Li Cunxin AO, Miriam Margoyles, and many more.
He has worked with Queensland Ballet for the past 25 years, producing From the Wings, a book on their production of Swan Lake, and Reserata, an exhibition of his work with QB. From his 2020 Museum of Brisbane Home Residency, he produced the book Jack and Grace. Alongside Trent Dalton he co-produced Love Stories (a documentary about homeless love) and a book, Detours (Stories from the Street). He then collaborated with Benjamin Allmon to produce the book The Saltwater Story, which was shortlisted for the Premier’s Award for a Work of State Significance at the 2018 QLA, and commissioned as an exhibition at Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Centre in 2022-23.
His clients include Queensland Theatre, Museum of Brisbane, Australasian Dance Collective, The Guardian, Outback Magazine, and NewsCorp. He has travelled extensively throughout Australia, the Pacific and Asia on assignment, and immersed himself in the culture and stories of indigenous Australia, a world he has entered with care, respect and a soft footprint.
CARIN GARLAND: Photographer
Carin has built a freelance photography career over the past decade whilst simultaneously juggling being a single mother and widow.
Her career has taken her to the USA, Vietnam, Bali and New Zealand, as well as all around Australia. Her work has appeared on the cover of PUMP Magazine, as well as in Australian Geographic, The Guardian, 9Honey, Escape, RUSSH Magazine, ELEGANT Magazine, Britt’s List, and many more. She has worked with brands such as Triumph Lingerie, Outland Denim, Northern Escape Collection, Imagine Holidays, and Scenic Rim Regional Council. For three years she has been the Creative Director/Photographer for Scenic Road Magazine, producing their last six issues.
With author Benjamin Allmon, she walked 600km around Queensland’s Scenic Rim for their book The Black & White Braid, where she was welcomed into the local Indigenous communities, over a hundred country homes, and co-curated the accompanying exhibition. She has been interviewed on ABC Radio National’s Life Matters about her photography, her relationship with Indigenous Elders such as Uncle John Long of the Ugarapul people, and her deep connection to the people and places of rural and regional Australia.
RONIN FILMS: Film Distributor
A film distribution company based in Canberra, Ronin was formed by Andrew Pike OAM and Dr Merrilyn Fitzpatrick in 1974. Over the last fifty years, they have distributed over 800 films. Ronin champions the work of independent Australian producers and directors, often maintaining relationships with filmmakers from their first short films through to their later, internationally successful features, such as Jane Campion, Vincent Ward, David Caesar, Baz Luhrmann, Scott Hicks and Tracey Moffatt.
Ronin has also been active as an investor in selected feature film projects and as a guarantor of others, such as Strictly Ballroom, Shine, and Road to Nhill.
The documentaries in the Ronin collection are personally selected by the company's founder, Andrew Pike. The criteria for selection are intrinsic quality and educational interest, and he chooses each film individually according to its merit. One of those was The Saltwater Story.
Andrew has co-authored Australian Film 1900 - 1977, served as Consultant to the National Library's National Film Collection; as a Research Fellow in the Department of Pacific History at the A.N.U, where he co-directed an award-winning documentary, Angels of War; was a member of the Board of the Australian Film Commission for three years; served on the Council of the National Screen and Sound Archive and subsequently served on the Archive's Advisory Committee; was a Founding Member and Secretary of the A.C.T. Film and Television Council, Inc. and currently serves on the Task Force managing ScreenACT, the ACT Government's film and television office.
Andrew won the Australian Film Institute's Byron Kennedy Award in 1986 for contributions to the film industry; in 1992, he was given a special award by the Australian Film Critics' Circle for his contributions to the film industry; in 2003 the French government appointed him to the rank of Chevalier dans L'Ordre des Arts et Lettres for his work in the distribution and exhibition of French cinema in Australia; and in 2007 he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his services to the film industry and the community. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Canberra.
AISLING ENTERPRISES: PR/Publicist
Founded by Aisling Brady, AE is a boutique public relations consultancy based in Melbourne, comprised of a team of highly experienced freelance publicists, marketing experts and graphic designers to deliver a highly personal and creative service. Aisling is a highly-experienced and sought-after publicist who has spent over 20 years working for flagship theatre companies, major film festivals, major music producers, State Government tourism bodies, international dance companies, prestigious not-for-profits, and national charities.
Throughout her career she has worked for organisations such as include the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, IMG, Cameron Mackintosh, Origin Energy, St Patricks Day Festival Dublin, Dance Theatre of Ireland, Riverside Theatres, Dainty Group, Flickerfest Film Festival and Tourism Victoria.
Aisling is a graduate of the Australian Writers Centre and studied a Bachelor of Arts - (Communications & Journalism). In 2019, she was a nominated finalist in the AusMumpreneur 2019 Victorian Business Excellence Award. She has collaborated with Benjamin Allmon on successful campaigns for Foot Notes, The Saltwater Story, and The Black & White Braid, resulting in coverage from Channel 9, SBS, ABC, NITV, Triple M, ABC Radio (Local, State and National), The Guardian, and Australian Geographic to name just a few.
KL DESIGN: Graphic Design
KL Design is a Gold Coast-based Graphic Design service with over 25 years’ experience, committed to providing clients with the tools needed to help them become visible in their market. Specialising in all aspects of design from logo design, social media content creation, through to packaging and signage, KL Design has close relationships with suppliers to ensure quality in final production of all projects. Their clients include Ironbark Forge, Southport State High School, Soul Good Beauty, Alba Lupus, Formcrete Civil Pty Ltd, Elizabeth Newton Bookkeeping, and many more.
Karla Allen has collaborated with Benjamin Allmon on the graphic design and publishing layout for The Saltwater Story, The Black & White Braid, and Lyricbuster.