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"Smart technology has all but removed the need to learn the mechanics of photography-
What you need to learn now is how to empower your human creativity".

CLUB ACTIVITIES

What's on?

We're currently putting our feet up and enjoying a well earned break after a really productive year.

Thanks for dropping by, we're closed until the end of January but busily working away on plans for 2025 and catching up on all those unfinished jobs that needed doing.

The Main Highlights of 2024

Being asked by the City of Albany if we'd like to provide photos taken by members for the 2025 Community Calendar.

This has been an amazing opportunity to showcase the outstanding work of our members. Picking the top twelve was not an easy task.

The response has been overwhelming and the positive feedback has been a real confidence booster for all involved.

Working in collaboration with the ACTIV Foundation and APM Communities has allowed us to share resources, skills and opportunities that have proven to be an outstanding success for all concerned.

This has been an excellent example of community building through cooperation and sharing.

We had the honour of being selected as finalists in the Australian Disability Service awards for Best Community Program.

ACE is leading the way in using photography as a focal point for developing technical abilities, building confidence and strengthening personal social skills in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Long serving President of the ACE Camera Club Bob Symons was a finalist in the 2024 WA Regional Senior of the Year Awards.

The nomination was for his work in providing a community program for people living with disability in the Great Southern region of WA.

Thanks to the City of Albany for providing funding for our bus trips throughout the past year. This has enabled us to transport our members to more distant locations to take photos and visit a range of other interesting places around the Great Southern.

Without funding this would not have been affordable.

Thanks also to Lotterywest and the Bendigo Community Bank for providing funds for the purchase of upgraded video equipment that will be used in our 2025 club projects leading up to the Albany bicentenary.

A photo competition is an important part of every Agricultural Show and this years photography competition was in danger of being cancelled due to a lack of volunteer organisations to manage it. Thanks to ACE volunteer Teresa this was averted and the competition was a great success in spite of the short time frame to get it all organised. Christie (right) won a 1st place in the disability section and best overall in the show.

The A-TEAM project has highlighted a considerable amount of previously hidden talent and Jasmine is just one example of what can be achieved given the right opportunities.

Her willingness to learn, to be keen to try new things and confidently take on challenges has resulted in APM featuring her in one of their media promotions.

We have an amazing group of members who are ready, if not already engaged in producing all sorts of products and services which we are happy to encourage.

Thanks to Tahli and her amazing team at the Vancouver Arts Centre for all the help and support they've provided for our club and the many projects we've worked on.

We're really looking forward to some collaborations in 2025 involving members of the A-TEAM using video, audio and AI technology to produce some innovative displays and presentations.

What's coming up in 2025?

There will be a planning meeting in early January but on agenda so far is.....

* A possible new round of bus trips as this has proven to be popular and ticks all the boxes re photographic results and social interaction.

* An extensive multimedia story-telling project in collaboration with Professional photographer Astrid Volzke that will produce a range of media in support of the 2026 Albany bicentenary.

* Designing interactive media to create exhibitions that are more immersive and informative. The initial test phase has begun at the Vancouver Arts Centre. A test photo of the Albany Town Hall with an online guide via QR code is available in the rear gallery.

* A greater emphasis on providing advanced photography, video making, audio recording and general skill enhancement for members.

* Encouraging the involvement and engagement with young people. It's been plenty of evidence that there is increased interest in teaching creative skills to the younger age group who are at their most active stage of developmental learning.

* Run a campaign to enlist more volunteer help managing and expanding out activities.

* Involve more A-TEAM members to take part in decision making and planning.

A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in participating and has supported our project.
This has been just a glimpse of what is possible and given the capacity to take it further, who knows just how far it will go.
Bob Symons President