ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
AUSTRALIAN CHAPTER
Formerly the "Victorian Chapter", the Chapter was renamed at the beginning of 2013. For many years it has been the only active The Royal Photographic Society Chapter in Australia and has encouraged members in other States to join it, participate in its activities whenever possible, receive its monthly Newsletter and benefit from being part of The Royal Photographic Society's presence in Australia. Recognizing this wider role, the Chapter has now been formally renamed the "Australian Chapter".
The Chapter has been in existence since 1986 and is one of the most active of the The Royal Photographic Society Overseas Chapters. We hold monthly meetings, produce a monthly Newsletter, usually hold an annual Exhibition and liaise with The Royal Photographic Society in the UK on behalf of Australian members.
The great developments in communications technology are now making it possible for members across Australia to keep in touch and participate in our activities much more easily than previously. With this in mind we are planning to expand our program so that members in all States may get added benefits.
We welcome contact from The Royal Photographic Society members everywhere. So if you are visiting Melbourne and would like to come along to a Chapter meeting, please do get in touch. You'll be assured of a warm welcome.
left to right: Palli Gajree OAM, Hon.FRPS; Alan Elliott OAM, ARPS; Elaine Herbert ARPS; Roy Robertson Hon.FRPS; Jack Lanagan ARPS; Max Melvin ARPS; Ann Lanagan who received their certificates of recognition from Roy Robertson HonFRPS
AUSTRALIAN CHAPTER MEETS WITH ROY ROBERTSON Hon.FRPS
On Sunday 10 May 2015, members of the Australian Chapter met with Roy Robertson Hon.FRPS and his wife Barbara in Melbourne at the end of their Australian holiday. It was a very productive day, full of interesting discussion and exchange of information.
Since last meeting with the Chapter some seven years ago Roy has been The Royal Photographic Society President, so he reviewed that time, discussed the priorities he’d given as President to enhancing particular functions of The Royal Photographic Society and spoke a little of his travels to other RPS Overseas Chapters, showing also a few of his photographs of those experiences. Part of the day was given to discussing The Royal Photographic Society Distinctions and the requirements of the different levels and categories. Several members considering applying for a Distinction then had the opportunity to get Roy’s advice on their panels, a rare opportunity as overseas members do not usually attend the UK Distinction Advisory Days. As it happened, one Australian member was holidaying in Norway – and he, too, was able to discuss his application with Roy via a Skype link! This was most successful with no technical hitches at all and could lead the way to other Australian members taking advantage of this technology.
A highlight of the day was Roy officially presenting the Fenton Medal to Alan Elliott OAM, ARPS; this had been awarded to him in September 2013 but Alan had been unable to travel to the UK to receive it in person. Roy also presented several members of the Chapter Committee with The Royal Photographic Society Certificates of Appreciation.
ELAINE HERBERT ARPS
HON.SECRETARY, AUSTRALIAN CHAPTER
email: Elaine Herbert ARPS