We are the champions
24 Feb 2015
Ta-da! The six finalists of the annual National Photographic Competition have just been announced, with Joan Rawson from the Upper Yarra Probus Club taking the much-coveted first prize.
The six finalists were invited to attend a celebratory Valentine’s Day-themed dinner in Parramatta earlier this month at the Holiday Inn. The room was decorated with romantic helium-filled heart-shaped balloons and chocolates and the air was buzzing with excitement as the finalists celebrated their success. A wonderful cake had been specially created for the event, which depicted each finalist’s photograph entered in the competition.
PSPL Chairman Peter Carroll did a wonderful job of hosting the evening. Other PSPL staff included Vice-Chairman Douglas Geekie, General Manager Pat Atkinson and Executive Assistant Monika Prasad. Mark O’Brien from Trade Travel and Grant Goodall from Golden Chain Motor Inns, who were both sponsors of the competition, also awarded prizes to several of the winners.
Each of the finalists shared the fascinating stories behind their images. Second-place winner Anthony Pilgrim told the group about his photo, which was taken on board a cruise ship during a Probus holiday and featured one member who is blind, yet was dancing up a storm with his partner on the dance floor.
Runner-up Jenny Kohlhagen had snapped up a couple of Probus members among the roots of beautiful trees during the Probus Christmas in July trip to Norfolk Island and Monika Critchley had captured some of the Probus club members of the gardening group with the fruits of their labour.
The winner, Joan Rawson, took a photo of several seniors crossing a lovely creek during a trip away. Joan first discovered her love of photography as an eight-year old when she was given a Box Brownie camera one Christmas.
“I’m gosmacked! I’m just blown away,” said Joan, who shed a few happy tears when she was announced as the winner. “I just love having the memories [from my photos] and when I look back at my photo albums, I take great pride in them.”
As first place winner, Joan won a wonderful Mediterranean cruise for two aboard the Aegean Odyssey to the Greek Islands, Croatia and Italy, thanks to Cruise Traveller. Anthony Pilgrim won a trip for two on The Ghan from Darwin to Adelaide from Trade Travel and third place winner Cleveland (Wayne) Arbery scored a wonderful Leica camera.
Congratulations to all the winners!
First place
Joan Rawson – Probus Club of Upper Yarra
Second place
Anthony Pilgrim – The Mens Probus Club of Belmont
Third place
Cleveland (Wayne) Arbery - Combined Probus Club of Mandurah
Runners-up
Monika Critchley – Probus Club of Ringwood Clocktower
Ian Adamson - Probus Club McLaren Vale/Willunga & Districts
Jenny Kohlhagen – Probus Club of Batemans Bay
PSPL staff with the six happy finalists.
Joan's winning entry, 'Is someone following me?'
Second place - 'Dancing with Fred and Ginger', Anthony Pilgrim, Belmont Probus Club
Third place - 'Bush Breakfast at minus one. Brrr', Cleveland (Wayne) Arbery, Combined Probus Club of Mandurah
Runner up - ‘We’ll just take this one home for the garden', Jenny Kohlhagen, Batemans Bay Probus Club
Runner up - Ian Adamson, Probus Club of McLaren Vale – Willunga District
Runner up - 'Members of the Gardening Club enjoying the fruits of their labour', Monika Critchley, Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club
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