Meeting Up

Every few months I write a column for the Australian Photographic Society’s APS Focus page in Australian Photography magazine, intended to encourage people to explore what the Society is all about and has to offer and, then to join. The following article has just been published in the biggest annual issue, known as the Photographer of the Year 2023 issue, of the magazine.

As published

Since 1963, the APS has conducted annual events bringing members together. For years it was a convention known as APSCON. In recent years it has become the APS MeetUp.

All participants make their own way to the destination – a different location each year. In 2023 it was Broken Hill. My wife Robyn and I chose to take a lengthy road trip gathering photos all the way. We drove first from Canberra to the NSW Central Coast, then visited Muswellbrook to view the Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize exhibition just before it closed.

Then we travelled in a more or less westerly direction taking three more days with numerous breaks before reaching the Hill. For me and my camera some of the most interesting places were the tiny fuel or coffee stops in the NSW outback, such as the Emmdale Roadhouse.

Whilst at the Hill, we also explored nearby Menindee and Silverton as well as participating in arranged MeetUp events along with old and new friends from APS.

Menindee was a special place to visit as Robyn had previously travelled there by “bone rattler” train from Sydney back in 1967 when she was just a young woman. Going back to see memories from that trip to visit a cousin, a Deaconess with the Methodist Church who had been sent to serve at the Methodist Nursing Service in Menindee, was a great reason to travel there. We had coffee at the only coffee shop/General Store/photo gallery. Robyn asked the lady behind the counter if she remembered the Nursing Service and its nurses. She did – showing us photos on the café wall of the building Robyn had visited!

Another visit to Menindee the following day with the MeetUp delegates allowed us to photograph the sunset at Lake Pamamaroo. We only just made it for the sunset after our coach broke down and we took photos while waiting for a replacement to arrive and take us the rest of the way.

There were two MeetUp trips to Silverton. Firstly, we explored and photographed the town itself, the famous artist John Dynon in his studio, the Mad Max Museum and, of course, the pub. An appearance by friendly free roaming donkeys provided another interesting subject to point a lens at.

On the second trip we visited Silverton Outback Camels and photographed its menagerie of camels, goats, llamas, dogs, an emu – and a drag queen who accompanied us to various MeetUp events. An added bonus was photographing the sunset and the full “blue” moon rising.

In and near the Hill, we visited a variety of sites including Daydream Mine and The Living Desert Sculptures, each of which provided more subjects. We socialised with other delegates, learned from each other about our photography skills and interests, and participated in a friendly photo competition.

Robyn and I travelled home via Mildura, Hay, Leeton, Gundagai and many more small towns each providing further images to capture. I’m already looking forward to the 2024 MeetUp in Launceston. See you there?

Stop here in Silverton © Brian Rope