MOUNT GAMBIER PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB

On Monday 23 February 1903 fifteen amateur and professional photographers met in Rubenkonig’s coffee room at Mount Gambier in response to advertisements placed in the local papers. The purpose of the meeting was to consider the formation of a photographic club. The Australian Photographic Journal reported: ‘The idea of starting it originated with Mr Newling, who was one of the promoters of the first society in Melbourne, which is now a large and highly prosperous body… Mr Newling pointed out some of the principal objects of such a club and the advantages it would confer upon its members, and expressed his surprise that in a district like this, possessing such beautiful and varied scenery, and so many amateurs in the art, a photographic club had not been formed years ago. The gentlemen present appeared to be enthusiastic in favor of the establishment of a club and … it was resolved that "The Mount Gambier Photographic Club" should be formed and all present become members.’

Officers elected were: President, Mr P. Kook; Vice-presidents, C. Newling and J.I. Underwood; secretary, Mr E.D. Senior; treasurer, Mr G. Webber. After Mr Kannenberg had taken some flashlight photographs of the gathering with his ‘fine new Watson and Sons Acme camera’ the meeting closed with a coffee supper.

End.