An Albury photographer travelled more than 6000 kilometres last month in a project that required the same strength and energy she wanted to document.
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Gabrielle Connole drove through rural NSW, South Australia and Northern Territory over three weeks, conducting Girls Have Stamina workshops.
Involving in total about 200 girls aged between 10 and 13 years, the sessions saw participants draw or write their thoughts on a banner and then pose for a 35mm film portrait they received as a keepsake.
"Rural girls are so fierce and fabulous and have so much to say and Girls Have Stamina was just about showcasing that," Connole said.
"It's been such a big year for everyone.
"So I thought as soon as I could hit the road as soon as the border's open, now's the time."
On the 11 metre banner added to throughout the trip, one can see in the slogans the spirit the photographer aimed to capture.
"We're stronger together", "Outback girls rock", "You should never feel you have to change for anyone" and "Family is my hope for life" are just some of the messages.
Connole said the idea for Girls Have Stamina evolved from her own upbringing.
"I knew firsthand the importance of being in a space where your authentic expression is encouraged and a space where girls feel safe and supported and celebrated," she said.
While still at university, she conducted her first workshop at her former school, The Scots School Albury.
"One of the girls wrote on the banner ... 'girls have stamina'; I was like, 'that's it, I love it, that's the name'," the photographer recalled.
Trying to organise school visits and travelling during a pandemic required its own stamina as did the drive itself, particularly during the South Australian restrictions.
"It was still their last day of lockdown but I was given a permit to pass through so I drove from Alice Springs to Woomera in the one day, which was close to 11 hours and I passed maybe six or seven other cars," she said.
Connole is grateful for the support of Ford and Border businesses and also the girls at the workshops.
"They blew me away, so much enthusiasm which was so awesome to see," she said.
"The group of girls that were waiting to get their portraits taken started really cheering on the girl that was in the spotlight.
"You should have seen these girls, when they're a bit nervous then they'd strike their pose and they'd just shine."
Stage two of Girls Have Stamina is in planning for 2021 and Connole is searching for passionate rural girls 10 to 13 years old who would like their story told. She can be contacted through gabconnole.com.
