Mark Direen
Army, Photographer
“For veterans, in particular, I want to promote Post-traumatic growth. To take their experiences and, moving forward, to thrive.”
Mark grew up in Tasmania without any thought of the mainland.
“I went to Melbourne once for a footy match, when I was thirteen,” he laughs.
“Picture this. It was the early 90s and jobs were scarce in Tassie. I tried for years to get an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic, but with no luck.”
At 18, Mark enlisted into the military and it was in the army that he was offered such a role.
However, Mark’s mind was expanded at army recruiting and he elected, instead, to join the Infantry. He remained in the regular army for sixteen years and worked his way up to Sergeant in the Special Forces as a Patrol Commander. During that time, he was a Sniper Supervisor, Demolitions Instructor and Roping Instructor. He specialised in mobility operations and trained local forces on deployment, predominantly Afghans.
“I enjoyed the excitement of the job.”
On leaving the army after a number of deployments, Mark joined the reserves for a further eight years. This time of his career also involved several contract deployments for the regular army.
“In my last six years in the military, I’d spent most of my time working in Kabul as a personal safety consultant for the Australian Embassy. Back in Tasmania, I would have time off between contracts and would take a few people hiking in the remote areas of the island.”
After leaving the military, this interest expanded into a business both within Australia and abroad. Mark also led international adventures and expeditions to countries such as Mongolia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Israel.
“I use a lot of the skills I learnt in the military and from my work as a safety consultant. I help people go beyond their comfort zone, to be OK with being uncomfortable. It’s a unique kind of adventure that appeals to the explorer mindset. My clients learn how to take care of themselves and survive in harsh environments,” Mark explains.
“I laugh at myself because I’m basically working towards doing myself out of a job! After a few trips, they’re able to operate by themselves because of the skills they’ve learned.”
In 2019, Mark was given sponsorship by the Tasmanian Government to conduct the Veterans’ Active Recreation Program, delivering unique outdoor adventure experiences and showcasing career pathways in the ecotourism industry for military veterans.
“The program demonstrates how core military skills like self-discipline, time management and resilience can be harnessed and are highly transferable to employment in the adventure field.”
As an offshoot of this work, Mark has become passionate about photography.
“I used this skill in the military as a sniper and in my reconnaissance work. Now, I use photography as an artistic pursuit. I find it both relaxing and good for my mental health.”
Based on this interest, Mark conducted free online photography training for veterans during Covid-19 lockdowns. From here, his concept of a Veterans’ Photographic Exhibition was brought to life. Showcasing career imagery and accompanying stories from Australian veterans, the Point & Shoot exhibition brings a voice to the unique stories of serving personnel and provides a rare glimpse into the life and experiences of fellow Australians who have served their country. The exhibition is now in its third year.
“It’s not about professional photography, but about sharing some of those moments frozen in time that those who serve our nation thought were worth remembering,” Mark comments.
“What’s been most rewarding has been bringing veterans and communities together. Most Australians don’t ask themselves about the experiences that veterans have gone through. I am humbled by the opportunity to share these stories with the public.
“Sharing and documenting lived experiences is where my passion is at the moment,” he says of his move into videos and short documentary films.
“I want to encourage and help others get more out of life. I don’t want to come to the end of my days wishing I had done more. My experience of facing death and mortality head on has led me to want to lead a life without limits. To not fear death but also to not wait for it. To get on with living.
“For veterans, in particular, I want to promote Post-traumatic growth. To take their experiences and, moving forward, to thrive.”
“I want to encourage and help others get more out of life. I don’t want to come to the end of my days wishing I had done more. My experience of facing death and mortality head on has led me to want to lead a life without limits. To not fear death but also to not wait for it. To get on with living.”
