The Pull Tab Pictures of Liz Betts

When people send pull tabs for the project, I usually thank them by e-mail and ask how they found our project. Often I just love the dialogue that can result from that question.

When I asked Liz Betts (41) from Campbells Creek (Victoria, Australia), she replied that she looked up our project because she often takes pictures of litter in her environment. Of course, this intrigued me even more: why does Liz take pictures of litter? “Its a strange hobby”, she replied. “I live in a country area that was mined extensively for gold in the 19th century. Dumping rubbish in old mineshafts or out in the forests was commonplace then and sadly still is. Some of my favourite things to photograph are the old cans with the pulltabs, as I really like the teardrop shape they leave in the top of the can. I came across your website when I was doing a little bit of research on dating these cans. What I do with the photo’s? I don’t usually do anything with the photos after I have taken them, other than sometimes I use them as inspiration for creative writing. I love the stories that these finds tell us!”

Some of my favourite things to photograph are the old cans with the pulltabs, as I really like the teardrop shape they leave in the top of the can.

I was really glad Liz permitted me to share some of her photo’s on this site. And perhaps, we may one day publish one of her stories too. Want to see where Liz found these tabs and cans? Check the World Map and look up Campbells Creek.