Life in the Barracks.

"Not what I have but what I do is my kingdom"

- Thomas Carlyle

I have always been a strong believer in the 'if you set your mind to it, you can achieve anything' kind of scheme. Makeup and Styling took place on this Good Friday. In my first, of what I dream to be many more fashion shoots. With great company in hand we trekked up the road that the soldiers wish they had, and created my story - Life in the Barracks. 
It's now my turn in life to trek down that road they call career, but first I had to trek up Tomaree, or should I say 'Fort Tomaree' as it has previously been known. 


I will let Micheal Smith and Graeme Steinbeck, Authors of 'The Guns of Tomaree', set the scene:


1942, Australia was at war with Japan. Fort Tomaree was now home to over 500 soldiers within an establishment that contained torpedo tubes, mortars, machine guns, rifle pits, search lights command posts, observation posts, barbed wire entanglement and accommodation. If not residing there, they were trooping back to Gan Gan Army Camp. 


"Tomaree is essentially a huge boulder about 500 feet high, and forms the southern headland of the entrance to Port Stephens, which, incidentally, is an excellent deep water port. Guns were never fired in anger and it is not known where they ended up. What remains are gun emplacements, observation and command posts and the foundation of many structures. For over half a century they have survived the wear of salt spray and curious visitors. They stand silent seaward watch, their job complete" 


The massive concrete structures that housed the guns are now accessible by a walking track from Zenith beach - this is where my journey will begin.

Stylist - Bonnie Eick/Lola Marie

Hair/Makeup Artist - Bonnie Eick

Model - Bonnie Marshall

Photographer - Alex Warden

Location - Tomaree Headland