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Heroes and Mates

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Competition, struggle, endurance, battle, victory, winning. These are all concepts that evoke the centuries-old theme of our male-dominated society. Photographic images of sports and contests are often used to promote this philosophy, in business and elsewhere. Surf life-saving competitions typify the raw struggle of men against each other. Or do they?

While photographing this uniquely Australian lifestyle of the beach, Esther found a hidden story behind the outward display of pumping muscles. She went behind the scenes and found surf life-savers being supportive of each other, caring and co-operative. In fact, her photos tell the story of that unparalleled Australian phenomenon: mateship.

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