Our People
25 September, 2025
Dean Morris’ photography continues to embody the heart of Beaufort
A long awaited project, Dean Morris's book ‘The Weight of Men’ looms closer to its launch date, filled to the brim with personal photos and memoirs of Beaufort men and farmers.
WRITTEN BY MEG GELJON
The book was inspired when Dean first joined the Beaufort Photography Group, showcasing his first photos in a local exhibition in May of 2024.
“I took four photos of four men that I could find and put them up and then people said ‘ooh you should do an exhibition,’” he said.
“There was more and more interest, so I continued photographing more people and then someone said ‘you should put it into a book’.”
Gritty and emotional, Mr Morris’ photographs capture the rawness of farmers in their own environment, preserving a piece of history in the lines of their faces and sharing their stories of a country upbringing.
"For us looking back, you can appreciate, or start to learn to appreciate, how hard they had it back then."
“I’ve learned how back in those days, how tough life was, yet they managed. And for them it was normal.”
“To actually hear a bit about their story, a bit about them growing up, it enables other people to enter into a section of their lives.”
Yet Dean’s stories don’t just feature the men that have been in Beaufort for generations, he also delves into the stories of local newcomers.
“There's the fellers that have shaped the community, and there's the future of those who have moved into the community. They’re the future” he said.
“People might not know these farmers and this lets them into a little bit of their life.”
Mr Morris also revealed that a future sequel is in the works, focusing on the photographs and stories of local women.
“They’ve got their own story to tell.” said Mr Morris
“It’s very different from farmer to farmers wife”
‘The Weight of Men’ will be launched on the 11th of November at the Bendigo Bank Community Complex, marking the first of many stories told.
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