Hobsons Bay Through the Lens: Celebrating 60 Years of the Williamstown Camera Club
Some of the members of the Williamstown Camera Club © Robyn Singleton
The “Make It Happen” grant submission to Hobsons Bay City Council was successful in funding the Williamstown Camera Club 60th anniversary celebrations.
Neil Anderson, Ian Street and Larry Rigoni put considerable time and effort into the lengthy grant process. An exhibition, Hobsons Bay Through the Lens: Celebrating 60 Years of the Williamstown Camera Club was held at Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre Gallery between the 7th and 25th of June. The exhibition showcased the talents of Williamstown Camera Club members who submitted images and the local community via a community photo competition.
The Launch Event on Saturday 7th of June was extremely well attended with approximately 70 club members, their family and friends, the local community and special guests filling the gallery and overflowing into the foyer.
Special guests included Alan Young (son of founding member, the late Trevor Young), Melissa Horne MP for Williamstown, Rayan Hawli, Deputy Mayor, Hobsons Bay City Council and Hobsons Bay City Councillor Diana Grima. Proceedings opened with the President of Williamstown Camera Club, Karen Malbon welcoming everyone on behalf of the club. Rayan Hawli spoke about the grant, the importance of community and council working together and the contribution the club has made to the community. Alan spoke of the foundation of the club and his father’s involvement over the years. Alan donated to the club a Naval Docklands shield that his late father had treasured. Melissa Horne presented the prizes for the community photo competition. Brett Harrison was the overall winner with his image Nautical Heritage, commended prizes went to A foggy night on old Altona Pier by Steven Virag, Seaholme shine, a morning divine by Aryani Siti and Noelene and the girls by Dave Appels. All were in attendance and proudly accepted their prizes. After the official proceedings everyone mingled and enjoyed refreshments and birthday cake.
The exhibition continued at the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre Gallery until the 25th of June and was well attended by the local community. Since the event four new members have joined the club because of the event. There were several enquiries about purchasing prints.
The exhibition and hugely successful launch party were the culmination of months of voluntary planning and work by the sub-committee, committee and club members. The subcommittee members were Cas Bukor, Tania Chalmers, Arvin Coloma, Michael Costa, Ian Gofton, Karen Malbon, Raelene Marshall, Deb Peart, Matt Peart, Grace Sobania, Gayle Tout and Monique Whear. Robyn Singleton was the event photographer and gallery sitter.
