Saying goodbye

Quite a mixed up day of happy news and very very sad news.......Last night I learnt that my one and only photography mentor/teacher and my very first employer of 9 years is terminally ill and dying of cancer.

Known as Norm to me, David Coward was one of the most successful photographer’s in Canberra for at least a 30-year span. I started working for him when I was just 17. Norm supported me through my photography studies, taught me all there was to know in photography and took me under his wing. I learnt everything from the ground up and spent a many a day working in his darkroom where I’m sure I annoyed him with my many questions.

Norm and his lovely wife Bev, became family to me....He is why I am here today and all my success is really because of this man. He got me through 3 long years of study, told me I could get through it, told me to hang there when I doubted my ability and lacked confidence.

So....early tomorrow morning I will be on a plane to fly to him and say my goodbyes. 17 years worth of memories and history – how will I possibly summarise this in a tearful goodbye??