On 6 January 1972, world renowned photographer, Olegas Truchanas, died on the Gordon-Franklin River in the wilderness he so loved. His legacy lives on in an extraordinary body of work that inspires across the generations.
Olegas Truchanas’ evocative images of this island’s untouched wilderness brought it to life for thousands of people who had never seen its wonders.
Olegas was one of the key campaigners in the failed bid to save Lake Pedder, which ultimately birthed the global Green political movement.
While Olegas was lost to his family and Tasmania half a century ago, he inspired a generation to fight to protect the South West wilderness. He mentored a young Peter Dombrovskis, whose images were catalytic in saving the Franklin River and creating the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Olegas left an enduring cultural mark on this island, which he chose to make his home. He was an early, passionate advocate for protecting the unspoilt, tranquil wild places he found solace in, after fleeing Soviet-occupied Lithuania.
One of Tasmania’s first Greens, Olegas lives on today, not only in his iconic images of Lake Pedder’s sparkling quartz beach, but in the free-flowing Franklin – and in the hearts of this island’s wilderness defenders.
The Greens will honour Olegas’s memory by never giving up the fight to protect lutruwita’s wild places.
