Timothy Syrota: Narrative Biography

Timothy Syrota has worked as a writer, photographer and film maker since 1997. Timothy’s first book, ‘Welcome to Burma and Enjoy the Totalitarian Experience’ was published in 2001 (Orchid Press).

Timothy’s photographic work has been widely exhibited including exhibitions opened by former Australian Governor General, Sir Ninian Stephen, Nobel Peace Laureate, Jose Ramos Horta, and form Australian Ambassador to Burma, Professor Garry Woodard. Timothy exhibited at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Thailand (FCCT) in both 2006 and 2008. Timothy’s photography concerning Burmese migrant children in Thailand won an award for feature photography at the FCCT photojournalism awards (2008) and both this body of work and another entitled ‘Bare-knuckle on the Border’ received honorable mentions at the Prix 3 French International Photojournalism Awards (2009).

Timothy has also worked as a photographer on behalf of a number of International Non Government Organizations operating in South East Asia including Save the Children, the World Wildlife Fund, World Education and the International Rescue Committee.

Timothy has recently completed his first feature documentary, Burmese Dreaming. He has filmed further documentary work on behalf of a number of organizations including ZOA Refugee Care and Handicap International. Corporate film clients have included Toyota (Australia), the University of Melbourne, the Victorian Institute of Architects, and the Geography Teachers’ Association (Victoria).

Timothy’s humanitarian and aid work includes having been the vice president of the International Society for Human Rights (Australia) 2001-2004. He was the founder and continues to co-ordinate the Thai-Burma Border Migrant Children’s Art Project. Timothy has conducted a number of extended workshops with both Burmese refugees and Burmese migrants including workshops on video editing and professional writing and he has worked as a consultant to video productions produced by Burma Issues on the Thai-Burma border. Timothy has given lectures and spoken at forums and conferences concerning issues relating to Burma. These have included presentations to the Australian Institute of International Affairs (Melbourne and Sydney) and at the International Peace and Reconciliation Conference (University of Melbourne).

Timothy lived on the Thailand-Burma border from 2004-2007 and returned to Thailand in 2009 to facilitate his continuing work in the region.

Timothy studied law at the University of Melbourne and acting at the American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco.
 
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Extended Biography

 Education

  • Scotch College, dux Mathematics, English, English Literature, Melbourne, Australia
  • University of Melbourne, Faculty of Law
  • American Conservatory Theatre (San Francisco), Acting

Writing

  • Author, Welcome to Burma and Enjoy the Totalitarian Experience, (Orchid Press, 2001)
  • Media consultant and photojournalist, International Rescue Committee, Thailand, SHIELD project evaluation 2010.

Photography Awards

  • Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Thailand, 2008 International Photojournalism Awards 2008, feature photojournalism category, Burmese Migrant Children Series.
  • Commendation, 2009 Prix 3 French International Photography Awards, feature photojournalism category, Burmese Migrant Children Series.
  • Commendation, 2009 Prix 3 French International Photography Awards, sports photojournalism category, Bare-knuckle on the Border Series.

Photography Contracts

Timothy has undertaken photography contracts on behalf of or in association with:

  • The International Rescue Committee, World Education (Thailand), Save the Children (Thailand), ZOA Refugee Care, Handicap International, Amnesty International, APHEDA, the World Wild Life Fund, The International Women’s Development Agency, The International Society for Human Rights.

Photography Exhibitions

  • April 2009, Love Burma Love Freedom, Gallery 45 Downstairs, Australia.
  • Nov. 2008, Burmese Dreaming, Auction Rooms, Australia.
  • Oct. 2008, Coming to Thailand, an Insight into the Lives of Burmese Migrant Children on the Thailand-Burma Border, Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Thailand.
  • June. 2008, Burma’s Refugees, Pierian Centre, United Kingdom.
  • Aug. 2006, Bordering on Insanity, FAD Gallery, Australia.
  • Feb. 2006, Bare-knuckle on the Border, Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Thailand. Follow up exhibitions at Eat Me (Thailand, Feb. 2007), FAD Gallery (Sept. 2007).
  • March 2004, Adios Amigos, FAD Gallery.
  • July 2003, Simply Burma, an Insight into Life in a Difficult Country, Counihan Gallery, Melbourne, Australia. Follow up exhibition at the Australian Catholic University (March 2004).
  • June 2003, Perspectives on Peace and Reconciliation, Asialink, Sydney Myer Asia Centre, Australia.
  • May 2003, Burma: On the Road to Where? Yasuko Hiraoka Gallery, Australia.
  • Dec. 2002, Faces of Hope, Amnesty International, Sydney, Australia.
  • Nov. 2002, Asian Perspectives, Fire Station Gallery, Australia.
  • Nov. 2001, Buddhist Perspectives, Jamchen Centre, Australia.
  • Nov. 2001, Welcome to Burma, exhibition and book launch, FAD Gallery.

Filmography: Documentary Work

  • Current Production: Myths, Fables and the Traditions of Karen State, feature documentary, development funding Ruben Foundation.
  • Current Production: A State of Education, documentary in association with the Australian Catholic University.
  • 2009: Building Skills for Life, promotional film in association with the ADRA Thailand and Germany.
  • 2001-09 Burmese Dreaming, director, director of photography, editor, and script writer. Feature documentary, 48 minutes.
  • 2007-08 Learning the Hard Way, director, director of photography, editor, and script writer. 32 minutes, produced in association with ZOA Refugee Care, Thailand.
  • 2006-07 Good Morning Mae La, director, director of photography, and editor. 64 minutes, produced in association with Handicap International, Thailand.

Filmography: Corporate and Educational Videos

All productions have been directed, filmed, edited and scripted by Timothy Syrota. Timothy’s first production was in 1996 and clients have included:

  • Toyota Australia
  • Victorian Geography Teachers Association
  • Victorian Institute of Architects
  • University of Melbourne, Information Technology Services
  • University of Melbourne, Department of Chemical Engineering
  • Underbelly School of Dance
  • New Floor Designs
  • Mallesons Stephen Jacques Solicitors

Aid and Humanitarian Work

  • Vice President International Society for Human Rights, 2001-04.
  • Editor human rights magazine, Charter, 2001-04.
  • Founder and coordinator Groove Nights for Human Rights.
  • Founder and coordinator, Migrant Children’s Art Project, Thailand-Burma border.
  • Curator and coordinator, Migrant Children’s Art Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Coordinator, Cocktails for Kids, a series of 4 fund raising parties, Thai-Burma border.
  • Teaching: video production, Burma Issues, Thai-Burma border. Advanced writing workshop, English Immersion Program, Umpiem Mai Refugee Camp, Thai-Burma border. Art exhibition workshop, Borderline Gallery, Thai-Burma border.
  • Public speaking and lectures at the Australian Institute of International Affairs (Sydney and Melbourne), the International Peace and Reconciliation Conference (University of Melbourne), Asialink (University of Melbourne), the International Women’s Development Agency (Australia), Rotary Club (Australia), Moreland City Council, Darebin City Council, assorted tertiary and secondary institutions.