CAMERA RALLY
WEEK-END at YARRAMUNDI
February 1950 Australasian Photo-Review - Page 70
YMCA CAMERA CIRCLE
CONCENTRATION!
“Getting the Best Camera Angle”
Near to the Y.M.C.A. camp at Yarramundi (N.S.W.) are many farms
which provide excellent photographic material. These
YMCA Camera Circle photographers are certainly
concentrating on obtaining an unusual animal study.
January 1952 Page 42 and 43 - Australasian Photo-Review
History in the sphere of photographic club activity was recently made for Sydney and probably for the Southern Hemisphere, when representative members of all the leading local photographic clubs congregated for a week-end at one of the most charming inland river resorts in N.S.W. The occasion was the result of cordial invitations forwarded by the YMCA Camera Circle to the members of these societies to be their guests at the Y.M.C.A. Camp at Yarramundi — a delightful fixed camp situated on a branch of the Nepean River. The camp is maintained by the Y.M.C.A. for its members and their friends and allocated, at various periods of the year, to the various Y clubs to further their club interests. It is reached by bus or car from Richmond Station — a matter of five miles.
Here under the most ideal conditions — here at a spot replete with bush cabins, a picturesque river sporting equipment and a very up-to-date kitchen with dining, recreation and concert rooms — here in company with opossums, native bears and many other native fauna, a goodly company of amateur photographers met and became better, more closely, acquainted while they discussed all those age old photographic problems (and a few new ones as well). Meanwhile, their wives, offsprings and friends, entertained themselves by making full use of the table tennis, shuttle-cock, river boating and many other facilities that are so adequately provided.
A commodious concert room was the means of screening some very interesting "talkie" films on the Saturday night, after which a widely contested 24 x 36mm color transparency competition was judged by a team of three representatives from the Kodak Lecture Service Division, a trio that had come from Sydney especially for that purpose. The winner of the transparency section, V. Springett, received a handsome trophy presented by P.I.A.
The evening’s activities were rounded off by a most tempting buffet supper, following which, all concerned were issued with as many blankets as they required and retired to the well-appointed bush cabins for the night. As was to be expected, it was some time before all those lengthy conversations so well known to photographic fans were finally replaced by the silence of the Australian bush, punctuated only by occasional sounds and cries from those nocturnal animals, birds and insects with which our bush abounds.
The customary "dress for breakfast" bell brought the whole party (the usual three or four sluggards excepted) to life, on a beautiful Spring Sunday morning, which augured well for the completion of a happy week-end. A hearty breakfast laid a good foundation for the furtherance of whatever plans had been made by various groups. Some proposed to concentrate on picture-making, mindful of the trophies offered by the Y.M.C.A. for the best shot depicting Yarramundi interest and also the trophy offered by a trade house for the best group consisting of two or more people, also to be photographed on the same week-end.
The spiritual side of the week end was first taken care of by a short devotional service excellently conducted by Mr. Ottmann, of the Y.M.C.A., who also gave a very appealing address that provided much material for serious reflection. He took as his text, “Here abideth faith, hope and charity”, and explained that charity had another interpretation than the mere giving of money or other philanthropies; that was, to be taken to mean good fellowship and the rendering of service to one another. There, in the open air, with a background of bush trees, all present could not help but feel a great sense of nearness to the Creator.
Following on the service, members were free to follow their particular fancies. Some made full use of the boating facilities provided by the camp and thoroughly enjoyed a row through the bush and orchard country so typical of the Grose River. Others devoted themselves to the various pastimes provided, shuttle-cock and table-tennis being especially favored. The more serious-minded "shutter-bugs" persevered in their search for yet more photographic triumphs, some seeking the co-operation of fellow guests in the way of providing figures for their pictures, or considering some theme that would perhaps provide first-class material for some future salon print.
An excellent lunch brought all together again and then everyone was once more left to his own devices until the hour of departure — a period well spent in many cases by firmly cementing friendships which, in some instances, to my very sincere belief, will last for years.
The final task for the organizers was to arrange for the homeward transport. Soon the cars were carrying the visitors away from one of the happiest and most novel week-ends they had ever attended, an occasion likely to linger in the memory of all for a very long time indeed. With the exception of the cooking, all camp "chores" were conducted on the basis of a roster prepared in advance, the roster being so organized that there was very little to be done by anyone.
I understand that a proposal is afoot for the formation of a joint committee with a view to making the function an annual affair. Suggestions in this regard will be welcomed by the President of the Circle.
image 1: YOUTH GROUP, YARRAMUNDI by H. Grenenger
image 2: THE CALL OF THE RIVER by H. Grenenger
image 3: OVERLOOKING YARRAMUNDI
image 4: SUPPER-TIME by I. Jones
1952
March 1952 Page 186 - Australasian Photo-Review
The YMCA Camera Circle (Sydney) has been successful in gaining the “Queen’s Birthday” week-end (June 7th-9th) booking for the Y.M.C.A. Camp at Yarramundi. As on a previous occasion, photographically, minded guests and their families will be welcome. Those intending to avail themselves of the Circle’s invitation should contact the Circle Secretary (c/o Y.M.C.A., Sydney) as soon as possible.
October 1952 Page 590 - Australasian Photo-Review
Newcomers to photography recently experienced a novel and entertaining week-end. The occasion was an "Invitation To Instruction", held by the YMCA Camera Circle from 5th to 7th September. The location was the Y.M.C.A.’s well known resort Yarramundi on the Grose River at the foot of the Blue Mountains some 45 miles from Sydney.
Here, in some of Australia’s most photogenic country, the forty-five people who attended were given sound instruction in basic picture-making technique. One of the features of the week-end was a lecture on the Saturday evening by Mr. B. Townsend of the Kodak Lecture Service Division. Mr. Townsend described the evolution of the modern camera and explained the cause and prevention of the common faults which plague photographic beginners. The evening concluded with a showing of the film “Highlights and Shadows”. This film showed the manufacture of photographic films and papers at the huge Kodak Park works in Rochester where no less than 32,000 workers are engaged in the most painstaking of manufacturing operations.
February 1953 Page 108 - Australasian Photo-Review
YARRAMUNDI CAMERALLY
W.H. McCLUNG
There is more to photography than composition and technique.
Individual photographic societies have endowed it with a social background that can vie with shutter clicking as a stimulant to personal interest and pleasure. But if you can bring members of a number of societies together in a friendly atmosphere conducive to good photography, then you have the perfect set-up.
That was just what the Sydney YMCA Camera Circle achieved during 1952 CAMERALLY. Attention to detail by the organizers and the admirable facilities of the Yarramundi YMCA Camp made the week-end an outstanding success.
Some ninety members of photographic societies with headquarters ranging from Campbelltown to Newcastle took advantage of the opportunity to get to know their fellows, many of whose names were already familiar. Facilities at the well-equipped camp, which is located some four miles from Richmond, provided an amazing “first impression” for those visiting Yarramundi for the first time. Visitors did not expect to find such amenities as electric light, refrigeration and hot showers (that were really hot) and such a well-laid-out area in so delightful a bush setting. The camp, with its thousand-yard frontage to the Grose River, afforded first-class photogenic material — especially for those early risers who chose to roam its banks before the mists rose from the valley. Outside the camp boundaries the valleys of the Grose, Nepean and Hawkesbury Rivers and the eastern slopes of the Blue Mountains provided a wealth of material.
An informal program provided ample entertainment, yet allowed members of the party full freedom to roam the countryside, using the camp as a base. At night talkies and color slide projection, with Ederic Slater as efficient operator, provided the basic programs. Material from overseas as well as Australia provided the slides in the “Yarramundi Color Contest”, to say nothing of the YMCA Camera Circle's own annual showing. Mr. Ederic Slater gained first, second and third places in the contest slides. His winning slide captured the delicacy of the natural jewelery of a limestone cave formation. During the screening of the latter group, the club's tape recording of the commentary by Mr. S. Woodward-Smith combined entertainment with many lessons.
Earlier the tape recorder had contributed an informal entertainment session, as the party, with community singing, solos and much side comment made and subsequently played back, several recordings. Additionally, the music provided by Errol Goss and the entertainment of professional standard from the “Y” representative, Bert Ottman, contributed considerably to the evening hours.
The YMCA's “Activity" photographic competition made every member of the party liable as a potential model. And there was no lack of activities to photograph. The stimulating autumn nip of the atmosphere encountered bush-walking, boating, shuttlecock, table tennis, dancing and indoor games. Even “inactivity" became the subject for photography when camera - active members invaded the quiet of those members who found irresistible the warmth of the sunshine on the rocks above the river. But even inactivity has some limit. No one bothered to photograph the opossum that regularly, somewhere about 2am, prowled around our eight-berth concrete cabin. The cold of the night was perhaps a discouraging factor — but, for most, the activity of the day had by that time taken its toll — which must have been why one of the sleepers failed so much as to stir when the opossum in question stepped daintily across his face.
The week-end brought together very much the same cross-section that one finds on a smaller scale in any photographic club. All ages, all occupations and all interests were represented — all who visualized the changing scene through his lens, whether it was mounted on the homely box camera or the latest and fanciest of miniatures. They arrived in cars a quarter of a century old and in super models of the latest vintage; and still others came by public conveyance. But all had two interests in common — photography and that social spirit that means the success of any gathering. It was most educational to sit in on the brisk discussions of camera fans which developed “between times". Interest quickly became contagious.
The organizers had not forgotten a single detail. On arrival, each club member and guest was welcomed by President Gelston Gow, a man of infectious enthusiasm and indefatigable ability, while congenial and energetic secretary, Ernie Graham, presented each guest with his identification badge, this displaying his name and name of his club.
Introductions were arranged by Social Officers Miss E. Banner and Miss M. Redman, while Outings Officer Ted Atkinson, assisted by Vice-Presidents, H. Grenenger and E. Hart, saw to the quartering and comfort of the many guests. Host club members helped the social atmosphere by breaking their own groups and taking different seatings in the dining room for each meal.
Chores — an accepted routine at any camp — where noticeable almost by their absence. In double quick time each table did its own washing-up after meals and peeled some potatoes if that nutritious tuber happened to be on the menu for the next meal. The three course meals, provided by Mrs. Bell and her assistant, Marie, were of hotel standard.
In lieu of the traditional outdoor Sunday Morning Service, the “Y" representative, Mr. B. Ottman, conducted a short after-tea YM Service, the idea of this change being to conserve as much sunshine as possible for the “shutter snappers".
The YMCA Camera Circle has promised us another Camerally for Coronation Week-end in June 1953. If you have not had the thrill of such association with the club-folk of Cameradon, then you'd better decide now that you'll be along. We would especially like to see some interstate friends — they would be doubly welcome. The occasion is not likely to be lacking in support from those club members who attended on this occasion.
SUNSHINE AND ITS SEEKERS
G.E. Eves
June 1953 Page 379 - Australasian Photo-Review
