Hamilton CR Kennedy Workshop & Honours Dinner

For many members, the highlight of the convention is the CR Kennedy Honours Banquet, particularly for those who have achieved their PSNZ Honours. There is something special about receiving these recognitions in front of your fellow photographers.

In 2020, when Covid first disrupted our activities, the convention was cancelled and the Honours Board had to postpone its meeting until late July. Rather than simply mailing out the certificates, it was decided to hold them over to the 2021 National Convention at which both the 2020 and 2021 would be acknowledged.

Then, earlier this year, history repeated itself with Covid once again cancelling the convention and postponing the Honours Board meeting. But this time the decision to defer the presentation was not so simple, as the 2023 National Convention had been moved from April to October. Council concluded that as the gap was effectively 16 months, an alternative had to be found.

It was therefore decided that PSNZ would hold two dinners and locate them close to where the maximum number of recipients lived. This was to maximise the number of people willing to attend, recognising that even when they were presented at the convention only around 50% of recipients were there in person to collect them.

As a result of this Hamilton and Christchurch were chosen. Because some people would need to travel and pay for accommodation we also organised a workshop during the day. We were limited in space for both events, so invitations were only sent to those who had been successful and had indicated that they would attend a dinner.

PSNZ Platinum Partner CR Kennedy once again came to the party and supported both the dinner and workshop. Ilford Master Rachael Smith presented a session on printing and papers and was received very well.

The dinner was a fantastic event with a great vibe and everyone enjoying themselves. In total 20 of the 67 2022 recipients were in attendance, including all three of PSNZ’s new Fellows.