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on Thursday, August 25, 2016
Last week, the 2016 Griffith University Queensland College of Art (QCA) and Wesley Mission Queensland Photojournalism Project was launched at Wheller Gardens in Chermside to coincide with Queensland Seniors Week.
Wheller Gardens was a fitting place for the launch, as this year’s exhibition centred on the theme ‘80 years of care’ to coincide with the 80 year celebration of the Wheller Gardens site; the first aged care community ever to be built in Queensland.
Second year QCA Bachelor of Photography students visited Wheller Gardens over a number of weeks to meet with their ‘subjects’, which were made up of residents who call Wheller Gardens home and the staff and volunteers who care for them.
Wesley Mission Queensland CEO Geoff Batkin opened the proceedings and thanked Earle Bridger, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Department of Photography, Griffith University Queensland College of Art, for being a long-time collaborator on the project.
“What started as a small journey has become a major event on our annual calendar,” said Mr Batkin.
“This project isn’t just about the photography, but about the relationships that form between students and subjects. It’s about bringing people together in our community. That human element is what makes this project very special, and has done so for the past 12 years.”
Earle Bridger spoke about the wonderful stories that have come from this collaboration and the importance that it plays in the students’ education.
“This exhibition serves as a maturing process for the students who take part in it,” he said. “It throws them into the process of photojournalism; learning the technical aspects of photography is one thing, but it’s meeting people and telling their true stories to the world through images that makes a photojournalist.
“These kinds of stories are the ones that are so often untold. I’m proud of all the students who took part in this year’s exhibition and the work they have been able to produce.”
A special commendation award was given to Victoria Reid for her work documenting volunteer Hilda Murphy and Monty the dog at Parkview aged care community. Victoria’s arresting collection of black and white images offers a glimpse at the care and connection that can be found all over Wheller Gardens.
A small selection of student images will also be on display at the Brisbane City Council Chermside library until the 30 August. This project was funded by COTA (Council on the Ageing) and the Queensland Government Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.
Click here to find out more about Wesley Mission Queensland's aged care services.
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