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Yvonne Joyce (Vonnie) Cave MNZM Hon FPSNZ FPSNZ
Vonnie Cave’s first camera was given to her by her mother ̶ to take photos of her and Harry’s fast-growing sons. That was the beginning of a lifetime love of the art and challenges of photography and enjoyment of the friendships made through it. Vonnie and her mother joined the W(h)anganui Camera Club in 1962. It was a lively club of longstanding, established in 1894 with only a short recess during wartime. It was the time of black and white film photography, developed and printed in converted washhouses. Competition in the club was rife with others like Dr Bob Anderson, Arthur Bates and Ken Newton among the keenest top photographers. She was a member for nearly 60 years, holding all major positions, including Patron, and with her name on most of the Club trophies – several times. She was awarded Hon FPSNZ in recognition of her contribution to PSNZ and photography. In 1963 Vonnie joined PSNZ and within six years was on Council as Director of Colour Circles and later of Overseas Tours, Panel Judges (Open and Natural History) and Travel Aides. Vonnie served terms on the Judges Panel and Honours Board and was a trustee of the Bowron Foundation. She was elected PSNZ President in 1978 and in 2009, after the passing of Geoff Moon, she accepted the office of Patron. As John Boyd said at her memorial service, ‘She graced the position with dignity, charm and eloquence, and I think it is as much for her loveliness as a person as for her great photographic talent that Vonnie Cave will be fondly remembered by her photographic family.’ Vonnie loved challenges ̶ to have work selected for the National Exhibition, and then to win it; to gain ARPS and then APSNZ and FPSNZ, and try innovative ideas ahead of her time. Older PSNZ members may remember her landscape of an Aberfeldy hill, with the imported tree – done so effectively, or the Sound Slide “The Unicorn”, which the selectors at first refused to accept as an entry in the national SS Competition as they thought, it was “not photography”. That is, until an indignant Vonnie explained what she
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