Navigating Norman Creek Videos

Navigating Norman Creek: The Exhibition Videos

“Navigating Norman Creek” is a collection of five short films and one visual poem by Griffith Film School historian and filmmaker Trish FitzSimons, which was exhibited at Museum of Brisbane from 19th June to 11th October 2015. This work was partly funded by a Brisbane City Council Helen Taylor Local History Grant and a Community History Grant.

Navigating Norman Creek – Documentation of Exhibition in Situ at Museum of Brisbane
June-October 2015

A meandering labyrinth running through 13 suburbs and touching the lives of almost 100,000 residents, Norman Creek is one of Brisbane’s hidden sanctuaries.

Creekmaking

“There was so much conflict at so many different levels.” The narrow, winding creek is periodically unable to contain the rapid increase in water from pulses…

Creekology

Visual Poem

Navigating Norman Creek Visual Poem: A meandering labyrinth running through 13 suburbs and touching the lives of almost 100,000 residents, Norman Creek is one of Brisbane’s hidden sanctuaries. O…

Creek Dreamers

“To see it is to dream it, and once you’ve seen it, then you’ll know.” A fringe of green cloaks the creek from the hustle and bustle of urban life, creating a hidden sanctuary. Drawn into this other world are those people whose lives revolve around the creek. They are shaped by it, challenged by it and contribute to its special world. This …

Creek Boats

Creek Boats is about boatbuilding on Norman Creek. “If you didn’t want to talk about boats, then you probably went somewhere else.” Once a site of a bustling boatbuilding industry where life revolved around the boatshed, Norman Creek now shelters only a handful of timber boats in varying stages of disrepair. Few remain who remember the traditional charm and values of timber boats or those …

Creek Kids

Recollections of those whose childhood largely spent in proximity to Norman Creek. “My parents were quite happy to allow me to wander around the creek, just enjoying all the things the creek offered.” Fond childhood memories of uninhibited access to swimming in the water, playing on the muddy banks and watching adults going about their lives are recalled through evocative names like the creek man referred to as Pray for …