Malcolm Ross

Charlie Nelson: Born in England and emigrating to Australia as a young boy, Melbourne has been Charlie's home for most of his life. He has captured many of the city's moods, variations and nuances in his photographs over a number of years, from bayside beach scenes to aerial views, skyscraper scenes and details of the city centre. From street side views to shots from the surrounding hills, Charlie's work is a chronicle of the many facets of Melbourne's metropolitan nature, its suburban labyrinth, sunset landscapes, changing skies with subtle weather differences and those landmark features which distinguish one city from another.
In his pictures Charlie has shown his investment in the ongoing task of seeing the environment in which he exists as a public place and yet an intimate living space where millions of people come together. For some this is in common enterprise, others as transient denizens or tourists, and others as ‘newcomers' such as he once was, bringing with them knowledge and experience of vastly diverse locations which have all come together to make Melbourne a truly multicultural and complex modern city, as it is depicted here. A range of Charlie's photos can be accessed via www.charlienelson.com.

Mack Ross: Having written poetry since his schoolboy days, and having sketched houses and buildings for many years now, Mack has compiled a stock of work which is both a commentary on the many environments in which he has lived and worked, and also a record of a life lived with, and for, others. His input to this book is both for the record of where he has been and a contribution to a hoped for better future for all. Mack's pen and ink sketches have been gathered from many sources and combine to depict the extensive differences in architecture and style in the streets of his life.
Poetry and art have become central to Mack's existence and it is this passion he has attempted to share in his contribution to this book, which is not only about the City of Melbourne where he has lived for many years, but also a composite view of life and shared existence. For Mack, like Charlie, it is about seeing and depicting an extended record of the modern day role for human existence and to help to preserve the good things of contemporary society, while also promoting this aim as a task for future generations.