Caulfield Photographic Society Inc

The Caulfield Photographic Society (CPS) was formed in 29th January 1980 but photographic groups had existed earlier in the area, eg East Malvern Amateur Photographic Club in the 1930s, the Caulfield Technical College Camera club started in 1958 and a club in Carnegie was formed in 1960.

Paul Robinson founded the CPS in response to requests from within the local church community of

St.  Anthony’s Parish, Glenhuntly, and the club was originally known as St. Anthony’s Camera Club.

The first meeting was held on 29th January 1980, and was attended by eighteen people, amongst whom were the Riggs family - John, Christina and Mark, Ann-Maree and Ken Moodie (Foundation Secretary), Bill MacDonald, Agnes Reilly, Kathy Peart, Paule Collard, Chris Jones and Don Ferguson.  A presentation was given by Alex Murray and George Moore (Essendon Camera Club) about composition.

During the first year a constitution was drawn up and at the End of Year Presentation Night, Fr. Ryan and the local State MP, Dr. G.M. Vaughan presented the awards.

When membership declined the club changed its name to the Caulfield Photographic Society and began holding introductory courses on photography. Initially Paul Robinson, Ken Moodie and Richard Kemp managed these courses, with Jean-Philippe Weibel joining Paul after Ken and Richard could no longer participate.

The second generation of members included:

• Noel and Irene Kerr (local artists)
• Elsie Phair (also a member of the Oakleigh Camera Club)
• Mick Brophy (a Tasmanian who moved into the area after living in Japan and the U.S.A. since World War 2)
• Maurice and Ivy Kimber (joined after the closure of the Victorian Railways Institute Camera Club)

• Jim Paterson (formerly of The Melbourne Camera Club)
• Frank Sady (who went on to the Coal Country Camera Club then moved to Geelong and was elected for several terms as President of the Geelong Camera Club).

The club room at St. Anthony’s became difficult to use and so in 1991, the club moved to St. Peter’s Church Hall, corner Ames Ave.  and Neerim Rd., Murrumbeena, meeting on alternate Monday nights.  This has improved the viability of the club and its flexibility in carrying out joint meetings, especially when courses were being conducted.

The club has been involved in invitation interclub competitions over the years such as with General Motors Holden (GMH), Camberwell and Knox. In recent years, the club has undertaken long term commitments to hold interclub competitions with Western Suburbs, Southern Suburbs and Foster Camera Clubs.  CPS has several members who are accredited judges and are used by other clubs around Victoria.  Several members have also been successful with their photography at National and International levels.

While the club continues to have membership turnover, a core group, the third generation, have maintained a greatly needed stability. Their generosity of support ensured the continued success of the club and they include Peter Grossman, Mariolina Salpietro, Marion King, Pamella Aldersea, Kath Gillies, Jenny Courtney, Sue Kelly, Jon Hogan, Gary Mather and John Commin (President over a number of years).

A fourth generation contributed to the further growth and strength of the club. These include Sue Rocco, David Doyle, Mario Mirabile, Gary Beresford, Geoff Edwards, Julie Emmerson, Tony Harding, Chris Renwick, Prue and Phillip Bassett and Linda Donald.

Practical activities have always been a feature of the club.  Since the early 1990s weekend outings in May and over the Melbourne Cup weekend have been held as well as many day excursions around Melbourne and its hinterland.  Some of the locations visited are Broken Hill and Mungo National Park, Mallacoota, Robe (S.A.), the Grampians, the Otway’s, Coal Creek, Beechworth, Walhalla, Marysville, Bright, Sale, Mansfield, Apollo Bay, Chilton, Barwon Heads, Foster, Halls Gap, Walhalla, Korumburra, Neerim, Chilton and many others.

The club's 30TH ANNIVERSARY was held in July 2010 with special guests, Mayor of Glen Eira, Steven Tang and his wife Jessica, VAPS Representatives, Judges, inaugural and early club members present. The President at the time Sue Rocco together with Kath Gilles, Chris and Michael Renwick of Hotondo Homes and Geoff Edwards made this a successful dinner held in the club room.

Life Members include

Paul Robinson.  AFIAP AAPS SSVAPS SSAPS Jean-Philippe Weibel SSVAPS

Kath Gillies EFIAP AAPS SSVAPS

Photographic Honours within the club include

Pamella Aldersea AAPS Tony Harding AAPS AFIAP Mario Mirabile AAPS Peter Grossman SSVAPS

Judges within the club: Mario Mirabile, Paul Robinson, Mary Mullane, Tony Harding and Jean-Philippe Weibel

Presidents