Local photographer Chris Duczynski thought his photo Thirroul Servo Crew was “a great modern depiction of diversity in Australia” — and judges for the City of Sydney Australian Life photography competition agreed. Photo: Chris Duczynski.
An iconic Thirroul “institution” has found itself the subject of a finalist’s entry in a national photography competition.
Local photographer and videographer Chris Duczynski was “stoked” when his photo of the staff at Thirroul Service Station made the cut for the annual City of Sydney Australian Life photography competition.
Stoked, but not necessarily surprised.
“It’s a very contemporary view of Australia,” he says.
The photo, simply titled Thirroul Servo Crew, shows long-time owner Graeme Rutledge with his forecourt attendant Avery Vail to the left, and apprentice mechanics Caitlin Cornford and Mitchell Kentner to the right.
Graham — a fixture of the Thirroul landscape — has worked at the servo for 55 years. His parents bought the business in 1946.
The servo — a ubiquitous part of the village — is something of an oddity to passersby.
“I always thought it was a pretty interesting place. It’s a bit of a local institution,” Chris says. “It’s one of the last independent petrol stations in the area, and probably one of the last to offer driveway service.”
Chris’ photo of Avery inside Thirroul Service Station is also a finalist in the prestigious Olive Cotton Award at Tweed Regional Gallery. Photo: Chris Duczynski.
At Thirroul servo, a “forecourt attendant” fills your tank up for you and facilitates payment. They’ll check your tyres and clean your windscreens if you want, too.
“A couple of months ago I went to get my motorbike topped up and I got to talking to young Avery.
“Avery told me, ‘I’m driven by a desire to understand both the world around me and myself more deeply. I’m still finding my groove … and for that I’m deeply thankful’.
“Then you have Graham, who’s been there for decades, and there were two mechanics apprentices as well, Caitlin and Mitchell.
“I thought, if I could get a great group shot, what a great modern depiction of diversity in Australia that would be, in front of this old petrol station that seems to have stood still in time, while so much has changed around it.”
That photo, along with 27 other finalists, will be in the City of Sydney Australian Life exhibition at Customs House following the announcement of the competition winner later this month.
Chris, who also runs local production company Malibu Media, snapped a second picture of Avery inside the servo, surrounded by cars on hoists. That one has been named a finalist in the prestigious Olive Cotton Award at Tweed Regional Gallery.
It’s not the first time Chris has photographed old, independent service stations, which he says are an endangered breed of business.
“I’ve shot other servos around Australia and a few have gone over the past few years. There was one other in Tamworth that I remember — a lady ran it, with a second-hand shop attached. That’s gone,” he says.
“Thirroul is changing. When I first arrived, you didn’t have cafes and things like that. Progress is great, but it’s good that some things stay the same.
“Thirroul Service Station is like a time machine — you step inside and there among the old tin cans are framed pictures and newspaper cuttings; you’re immediately transported.”
The City of Sydney Australian Life photography competition winner will be announced on Thursday 31 July and the exhibition will take place from 31 July to 24 August at Customs House.
