30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS HELD AT MITCHAM CULTURAL VILLAGE INSTITUTE HALL ON SUNDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER 2013.
On a beautiful spring day we celebrated 30 years of our photographic club with 65 members, family and colleagues in photography.
The afternoon began with a digital presentation of fabulous images that have been entered in interclub and competitions by our members over recent years.
A scrumptious High Tea was served, including cakes, slices and scones, along with a selection of teas and coffee. We then stepped back in time as I read a brief but interesting history of the club. Later a series of images were shown and many interesting and often amusing stories were told about days gone by. An insight into the people and events that established the club and its reputation as a very social and different club who don’t just want to take photographs, but want to have fun doing it.
Alberto Giurelli, the President of SAPF and his wife Katy and John and Maureen Mack, past and long-time proprietors of Photographic Wholesalers in Hutt Street were our special guests. A message was also read from the Mayor of Mitcham, Michael Picton, apologising that he was unable to attend and wishing us continued success in the future.
It was a great opportunity for new and old members to meet and for everyone to see the images of those who have since passed away.
The afternoon concluded with Ray Goulter getting all club members together, past and present, for a group photograph, taken with his Arca Swiss 4” x 5” View Camera.
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Yours in photography
Julie Goulter
Secretary
Blackwood Photographic Club of SA Inc.
But wait – there’s more! There is a President’s address:
Firstly from the Immediate Past President (Chris Schultz):
Before I give you the address from our current President, Ashley Hoff, I’d like to make two thank yous.
Firstly, I want to thank Julie Goulter, who has worked hard and almost completely single handedly (with special thanks to our caterers too) to make this 30th Anniversary event happen. Without Julie we wouldn’t be enjoying our afternoon as we are now. Thank you Julie!
Secondly, the club itself needs to be applauded. We are a diverse group of people who come together to enjoy a passion. In doing so we work at sharing our knowledge, giving advice and embracing a community spirit which may seem lacking in the wider world. As a group we aren’t overly competitive, we value art as much (if not more) as technique, we like to share & help, we like being different from the mainstream photography clubs. While those things remain we will continue as a club for many years. For those reasons I feel that Blackwood Photographic Club as a gestalt entity needs to be thanked.
President’s address: Ashley Hoff
“Greetings from Singapore! I’m sorry I couldn’t make it today.
Firstly, thank you to all our invited guests for coming today and helping to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Blackwood Photography Club.
I am a strong believer that the strength of any club lies solely with the people that make and have made it all happen.
Initially, I wasn’t sure about being involved with a photography club. I must admit I had heard not too flattering stories from a few friends who had been to various meetings with a few different clubs (not ours mind you!), that I just wasn’t sure. Also, being part of the internet age, surely I would be able to engage online?
But with a little persistence from my good friend Matt Carr, I decided to give Blackwood a try.
Now, I don’t know whether it was dumb luck, or whether Matt was really onto something, but this club, just so happened to dispel my initial concerns. Straight away, I could feel it was a good fit – it was (and still is) a club that is very accepting of anyone who has a passion for photography, regardless of their experience, their style or equipment they use. Very rarely have I heard a ‘mine is bigger/better/more expensive’ conversation within the club (which is a blessing, considering how gear obsessed this hobby can be).
There are other strengths as well. When it comes to imagery, as a club, we challenge what might be accepted as ‘good photo club’ photography. We accept that sometimes what makes a good image that is engaging may not necessarily score a 10 (or even a 2…don’t I know it) in a competition. With the re-introduction of peer based review nights, we have given our members another outlet that can be used to explore their own individuality as photographers, without the apprehension of being judged.
The biggest strength, though, of our fine club is it’s membership, both past and present.
I would like to thank all our past members. You input over the last 30 years has gone a long way to forge a club I am proud to be the current President of.
Also, I would like to thank all our current members. Without you, we would have no club. Your attendance, efforts, good humour and willingness to help and be involved each meeting makes this club operate with minimal stress and concern.
Your efforts each meeting to keep the tradition alive puts us in good stead to hold our values well into the future.
Now, I probably feel a bit old fashioned doing this, can I ask for 3 cheers for the Blackwood Photography Club?
Thank you and have a fine afternoon.
Ashley”
Blackwood Photographic Club of South Australia Inc. 