When Damien did all that scrupulous work on his cameras, preparing them as a priest might the chalice, he wasn’t doing it for himself, but for God. His faith was limitless.

Ron Maslyn Williams quoted in Bernard Hosie, Damien Parer: A unique Australian, 1966

Parer’s genius – the quality which made of him a great, instead of merely a brilliantly effective, cameraman – was the product of his unwavering devotion to the Roman Catholic faith … Parer made his devotions with a camera.

John Hetherington, Australians – Nine Profiles, 1960

Damien Parer believed that he was doing Christ’s work in the world with his camera.

Damien Parer, notebook entry, July 1937:

Rosary beads

Patsy bag

Scissors

Trays

Wool & skins

3 ply Patons

Bitter Sweet