Eucalypts - commonly known as gum trees - are the most prevalent variety of tree in Australia. There are more than 800 species of them and no matter where you go, they dominate the landscape. Different varieties can be found in almost every habitat throughout the entire continent, ranging from rain forest, to dry sclerophyll forest, to very arid areas bording on desert; they even flourish above the snow-line in the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales.

Eucalypts are a particularly diverse plant species. Some are shrubs which grow no higher than about 1 meter; most grow to somewhere between 30 and 50 meters in height, although some varieties grow to a height of 100 meters.

Eucalypts are evergreens - they never completely lose their leaves. Instead, they unburden themselves of old leaves continuously. Many Eucalypts also shed their bark once a year. Most Eucalypts also flower - they produce seed pods known colloquially as gum nuts. These break open while still on the trees and produce large numbers of very small flowers. These often attract native birds which harvest the pollen.

Eucalypts are often categorised by their bark: either rough or smooth. The rough bark varieties include types known as stringy-barks, boxes, peppermints and ironbarks; the smooth barks include the quite picturesque scribbly gums.

Under certain atmospheric conditions, Eucalypts emit eucalyptus oil from their leaves. Where large Eucalypt forests occur, the amount of eucalyptus oil in the atmosphere refracts the light, causing a distinct blue haze. This is what gives the world-heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park its defining characteristic.

The film was shot in the Gardens of Stone National Park in the central west of New South Wales. It was recorded in Standard Definition 16:9 aspect ratio PAL using a Sony DVD201E camera. It was post-processed using Adobe Premiere Elements 3.

The soundtrack is a composition by Bernard Herrmann called “Solar Diamonds”. He wrote it for Robert Wises’ 1951 production of the Day the Earth Stood Still. However, this particular track wasn’t used in the movie.

Waltzing Matilda is regarded as Australia's national song.

While it is not the country's official national anthem, there has always been a widespread feeling that Waltzing Matilda's lyrics typify the rebellious spirit and defiant attitude towards authority generally exhibited by Australians.

Waltzing Matilda was composed in Winton, Queensland in 1895. Banjo Paterson wrote the lyrics and Christina Macpherson composed the music by adapting a tune from a folk song she had heard and memorized a few years earlier. It has been argued that Waltzing Matilda attempts to make a political statement against authority; it was certainly motivated by the Queensland Shearers Strike of 1891 which was brought about by the refusal to pay sheep shearers higher wages.

The version of Waltzing Matilda used as the soundtrack was recorded in 1938 in London. The soloist is Peter Dawson -- his renditions of the song helped make Waltzing Matilda world famous; it is one of the ten most recorded songs in the world.

The lyrics to Waltzing Matilda include a considerable number of slang terms that were prevalent in Australia in the 1890s that require some explanation.

Waltzing Matilda -- the act of carrying a "swag".
Swagman -- an Australian itinerant worker, so-called because of the "swag" that he used to carry his possessions. These included his provisions, blankets and a "billy".
Matilda -- an old Teutonic word meaning "mighty battle maid"; it was used as a slang term to mean a de-facto wife. In the Australian bush, a man's swag was regarded as his de-facto since it accompanied him everywhere -- hence it was called his "Matilda".
Billabong -- a section of meandering river that has been isolated from the main channel.
Coolibah -- a variety of eucalyptus tree.
Billy -- a large open-topped tin can used for boiling water for brewing tea.
Tucker bag -- a bag for storing "tucker" (i.e. food) -- an essential part of a "swag".
Jumbuck -- a sheep.
Squatter -- a term used in the 19th century in Australia to denote a station owner (i.e. a grazier). In Australia, properties used for raising cattle and sheep are called stations and the squatter either owned or had a lease-hold on the land.
Troopers -- police mounted on horses.

The film was shot in the central-west of New South Wales in the localities of Cullen Bullen, Ben Bullen, Capertee, Cherry Tree Hill and Rylstone.

It was captured in 16:9 aspect ratio Standard Definition PAL using a Sony DVD201E camera. Post processing was performed using Adobe Premiere Elements 3.

The World Heritage listed Sydney Opera House is located at Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, adjacent to Circular Quay and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Opera House was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon - its stunning design makes it one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. An international design competition was launched in 1957, but construction did not start until 1966. The building was opened to world acclaim in 1973.

The footage was shot in 16:9 aspect ratio Standard Definition PAL using a Sony DVD201E camera. It was post-processed using Adobe Premiere Elements 3.

The music is a composition by Philip Glass.

Ben Bullen is located in the rural central-west of New South Wales. It’s approximately 200 km west of Sydney - the closest major town is Mudgee.

Ben Bullen is an Australian Aboriginal word meaning a high, quiet place. But what exactly is Ben Bullen? Watch the film and the answer will be revealed.

The footage was shot in 16:9 aspect ratio Standard Definition PAL using a Sony DVD201E camera. It was post-processed using Adobe Premiere Elements 3.

The music is a composition by Philip Glass.

Tahiti is a film I made during a vacation in French Polynesia which included a visit to the island of Manihi and to Bora Bora. As you will see, Bora Bora is arguably the most beautiful place in the entire world.

The video footage was shot in 4:3 aspect ratio Standard Definition PAL using a Sony DVD201E. The stills were taken using a Konica Minolta Dynax 7D SLR. Post-processing was done using Adobe Premiere Elements 3.

The music is by Enya.

Force Majeure. Translation : superior force.

This film attempts to depict the immense forces imposed on the surface of the earth by the combined power of the atmosphere and the oceans.

The footage was shot in and around Noosa National Park, on the Sunshine Coast in south-east Queensland. The film was recorded using a Sony DVD201E camera in 16:9 standard definition PAL. It was edited using Adobe Premiere Elements 3.

The music is an excerpt of a composition written by Philip Glass for Godfrey Reggio's film Koyanisqqatsi.