The initial meeting of Yea District amateur photographers who had previously indicated their keenness in forming the camera club was held in early April 2008 at the Yea Tennis Club pavilion. Members of Victorian Amateur Photographic Societies (VAPS) executive, along with the Essendon and Alexandra Camera Clubs, gave valuable support at this meeting. About 12 people attended and a Committee of four were elected to get the Club under way. Judy Hoffman was elected the inaugural President of the Club.
The Committee set to work on the essential tasks of setting up the Club - VAPS affiliation, finding a suitable meeting venue, opening a bank account, advertising, deciding on a fee structure, discussing ideas for meetings etc. There was agreement that the Club should have a family orientation with an emphasis on the fun aspects of photography.
The monthly meetings should provide scope for members to have their photographs “exhibited” for others to comment on. As all of the initial 16 members owned digital cameras, photo sharing was to be by means of projection rather than by prints. Of course, this may change as the club develops and more members acquire their own printer.
Monthly photo challenges aligned to the meeting topics are set as tasks for members to complete for the next meeting. In August 2008, the Club achieved incorporation to VAPS and members approved the Club’s Rules and Constitution in October 2008. A Commonwealth Volunteer Grants Program allocation enabled the Club to purchase its own digital projector and screen. Other funds were raised through a Raffle and a generous donation was received from the Essendon Club following the February 2009 bushfires, which affected the area.
Family friendly photographic outings are a regular feature of the clubs activities and information and learning opportunities are part of the monthly meeting.
A monthly competition entitled 'Capture an Idea' is held each meeting month throughout the year (Feb to Dec). Members are tasked to present a print at the meeting created to reflect a random subject. These subjects can be seen on the calender page of this blog and the rules for the competition are on the rules page. There is a monthly and annual prise for the best photograph as judged by the members present on the night.
