by Carla Caruso
The people who love Your Park Lands are as important as the Open, Green, Public spaces themselves.
Here, we chat to another park enthusiast, Ian Buckland, who, in between his visits, enjoys taking documentary-style photos, volunteering with various worthy organisations – and dancing like Kate Bush.
“Guess who I found being photographed in the Adelaide Park Lands this arvo?” Ian wrote on Instagram in August. He’s pictured with Adelaide United star Josh Cavallo - the only openly gay male footballer playing professional top-flight football globally.
Hi, Ian. Please tell us about your photo-documentary art. How do you choose what to capture on film? Is it just for fun?
I have done specific projects, like documenting all the Hawker Street area’s painted Stobie poles [in Bowden]. But mostly, I just keep an eye out around my urban environment for unusual things that need to be documented, like street art and murals.
Like the disappearing old industrial parts of Bowden, once something is gone, it’s hard to recall what was there before, and photography is well-placed to record everything we’ve lost.
“Full moon over the zoo [in Park 11],” Ian writes.
Can you share a bit about your volunteer work with the Adelaide Happy Wanderers, OzHarvest Adelaide, and Adelaide City Shed?
My involvement with OzHarvest food rescue has been the longest, for the last nine years.
I’ve always hated the idea of things going to waste. I started as a volunteer, helping to rescue food at the [Adelaide] Showground Farmers’ Market. Then I was a driver for a while - best job I ever had - and now I’m a volunteer again in the warehouse.
I occasionally do the bush walks, put on by the Adelaide Happy Wanderers, which has been going for 40 years now. It’s one of the oldest LGBTIQ+ social groups in South Australia.
The Adelaide City Shed has only been going for 18 months. But we think people in central Adelaide will benefit from having a workshop space, when so many people live in apartments with no backyard and just want to get help making or repairing something, or just want to have a cuppa and a chat.
I’m very lucky to be able to help out where I think it's valuable, as well as being a house husband.
Ian, left, with his partner in Para Wirra Conservation Park in Yattalunga.
What are your most loved spots in the Adelaide Park Lands, and why?
My favourite parts are any spots where it feels like it’s old, wild scrub. I was glad to see, with the recent Pakapakanthi (Victoria Park) wetlands development, that they did leave some of the old, untouched scrub to the south of the creek.
Ian captured this image of the 1875 Palm House in the Adelaide Botanic Garden (Park 11) during the Illuminate festival.
Any cherished memories from time spent in the Park Lands?
I guess being one of the Kate Bushes on the Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever, every July, back when it started in Botanic Park (Park 11). [Bush fans, clad in red, gather to recreate the dance from the British singer’s iconic film clip on her birthday.]
Apart from that, just going for walks with my partner around the Park Lands – which is a constant reminder of how lucky we are, to be here in Adelaide.
The parade begins for Adelaide’s Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever in July. The not-for-profit event supports the Zahra Foundation. Photo: Ian Buckland.
What keeps you busy when you’re not meandering the parks, volunteering or taking photos?
Just being a house husband, trying to grow veggies in our little courtyard, and watching films.
My partner and I are quite addicted to comedy and always catch up with funny British and Australian people.
