‘Proper legend’: Loved ones honour icon’s shock passing

His photography has featured in prestigious galleries across Australia and the world and now the loved ones of a Toowoomba identity have opened up about his devastating passing. Read the heartfelt tribute here.

Born in 1927, Graham Burstow began taking photographs at the age of 17 and was an integral driving force behind the establishment and development of one of Australia’s largest photography clubs – the Toowoomba Photographic Society.

Throughout the years, Graham’s work has been showcased at the National Library of Australia, the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Art Gallery and can still be seen in the Toowoomba Cobb and Co Museum.

Photographer Graham Burstow. Picture: Bev Lacey

He went on to publish several books containing his prints and in 2004, the talented photographer was recognised for his work when he received an Order of Australia Medal.

Now, some of his loved ones have shared heartfelt words about the late great, who sadly passed away this month.

‘Boundless curiosity’: How father’s legacy shaped son’s career

Described as a loving husband, father-of-three, grandfather and great grandfather, Graham’s son Stephen Burstow said he chose to surround his entire life and career around film as a result of his dad’s influence.

He said one of his most treasured memories was when his father showed him how to use a vintage film camera and develop prints, when he was a young child.

“He just had this boundless curiosity for exploring the world through his camera and his photography was a way for him to connect with people.

“Every photograph he took – even if it was a photo of a landscape or a gumtree – had a story or poem or song lying behind it.”

Graham Burstow released Flesh – a book containing some of his iconic prints in 2014. Picture: Nev Madsen

On August 3, Graham was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer and secondary liver cancer and ended up in hospital after he contracted Covid-19.

Tragically, Graham passed away just days later on August 12 at the age of 95, leaving behind his incredible photographic legacy and a whole lot of love.

His son said while his father was not in distress or pain, it was confronting to see someone so lively become so frail and fatigued so quickly.

With an extensive portfolio of photographs containing mostly people and landscapes, Stephen said he believed his father had more images in public spaces than any other amateur photographer in Australia.

His son said his father would be remembered for his street photography, particularly from the Gold Coast.

Among his favourite images was of a surf lifesaver post-race with a small child slung over his shoulder and a woman who Stephen always imagined was the lifeguard’s wife.

“I always imagine this post-race scene where his wife has spent the morning looking after the kids while her husband has been out doing the heroic stuff in the surf,” he said.

“Dad wasn’t one for the newsworthy moments – he captured all the behind the scenes action.

“He was an observer with the audience and he’d spot the perfect moment and put the wide angle lens on his camera.”

Describing his dad as an inspiration who maintained his positive spirit regardless of how dire a situation was, Stephen said anyone would be lucky to have “a quarter of the energy” his dad had.

“When he became sick and less mobile, he stayed with me in Sydney and he very quickly learnt how to give me precise instructions on how to position him in the wheelchair to get the best shot,”

“We burnt a lot of wheelchair rubber that month.”

‘My hero and best friend’: Mate reflects on 40 years of friendship

For as long as he can remember, John Elliott’s daily ritual has involved waking up at 4am and making a cup of tea.

So when he moved to Toowoomba in his early 20s, he was astonished to discover his neighbour was an equally early riser and after seeing his front light on every morning, John decided to introduce himself.

Little did he know his neighbour was his Graham Burstow, whose photography work he had always admired.

The pair quickly became the best of mates and shared a 40-year-long friendship up until Graham’s passing.

“Graham was a proper legend and he really is a national treasure,” Mr Elliott said.

“He was certainly an inspiration because as a photographer myself, I always aspired to take the sort of pictures he was taking.”

Graham Burstow (left) and John Elliott at the Icons exhibition in Brisbane. Picture: Contributed.

Describing his best friend as young at heart, passionate about life and a hardworking family man, John said Graham touched the lives of many, not just photographers and those who knew him.

John said his friend would work at his family’s large floor covering business all day, before returning home to work on his photography all night.

He said Graham managed to excel in all areas and led a successful creative, business and family life, with John noting the portraits Graham took of his own family were among “the best pictures” he’d ever seen.

“It really surprised everyone when he died because we all thought he was going to live forever – Graham wasn’t just passionate about photography, he was passionate about life,” Mr Elliott said.

“Up until the very end, he was still so sharp and had so much energy to share with others.”

A lover of the arts, Graham also took great delight in music, sung in the Toowoomba Choral Society choir and would listen to live music at the Toowoomba Farmer’s Markets every Saturday.