2019 Annual Awards entrant J Jansen ‘Died of Wounds’ Above and right: An exhibition of The Corio Bay Camera Club at Osborne House.
Osborne House’s connection to the art world
The Corio Bay Camera Club celebrated its 67th anniversary this year and has enjoyed Osborne House as it’s home since May 2010. According to the Corio Bay Camera Club’s records it was responsible for more than 6,500 visitations to Osborne House between 2010 and 2016. During their tenancy at Osborne House, the club had their own meeting room and secure storage space, which allowed them to grow their membership numbers. In addition, Osborne House provided them with an area to hold exhibitions for their many talented photographers and provided venues for guest speakers and other events. The Corio Bay Camera Club notes that alongside many other groups under the Osborne Park Association umbrella, they made significant contributions to the upkeep of Osborne House.
in the Sustainable Development plan for community groups to access Osborne House.
“THE CLUB STILL SEES OSBORNE HOUSE AS A LONG-TERM HOME WHERE WE CAN CONTINUE TO GROW AND DEVELOP OUR MEMBERSHIP AND PROVIDE VALUABLE BENEFITS TO OUR MEMBERS AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY,” JACK SAID.
In the club’s view, the most significant was the restoration of the ballroom at Osborne House to remove office partitioning added by the Shire of Corio for office space.
“Having full-time access to Osborne House over the seven years before the closure to all tenants and the community in April 2017 was a key factor in enabling us to grow our membership.”
Secretary of the Corio Bay Camera Club, Jack Jansen, said it was necessary to find agreeable outcomes
The Corio Bay Camera Club is very active within the local community.
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During its time at Osborne House, it offered many exhibitions and free workshops for the community, including the Geelong Seniors Festival. Jack said he wished to emphasise the value Osborne House had to groups like his, but he noted that community groups also add value to the community, and that value had to be recognised. “Social equity and social inclusion are critical drivers for Council planning, and we trust this will be a key factor in any redevelopment of the property,” Jack said. “We’d also like it considered that groups like ours run on limited funds while providing a valuable contribution to the wellbeing of the community.” “We are seeking an outcome that recognises the input that groups like the Corio Bay Camera Club and others under the Osborne Park Association’s umbrella have made to date.” For the Corio Bay Camera Club’s complete response, click here.
