The formation of the Toowoomba Photographic Society has a complicated history.
On the 28 August 1900 a preliminary meeting was held at the Toowoomba School of Arts to investigate the formation of a photographic society in Toowoomba in connection with the School of Arts. It was agreed to proceed with the formation of the Toowoomba Amateur Photographic Society with the following office bearers elected:
- President – Rev T. St.J. Pughe
- Vice-Presidents: J. Bain and W. Jarrott
- Secretary and Treasurer: F.W.G. Annand
- Committee: G. Barlow, E.J. Clark, G. Harding, J. Moloney, J. Mackay, W. Sloman, L. Jarrott
The objects of the society were discussed and it was agreed that the committee would draw up a programme of meetings when lectures would be delivered by members and other enthusiasts in photography.
The Darling Downs Gazette reported the first meeting of the Toowoomba Amateur Photographic Society was held on the 18 February 1901 in the School of Arts building. The President Rev. Canon Pughe delivered the inaugural address titled “The Aims and Objects of a Photographic Society”. Twenty-two members and a few friends attended this meeting. A display of lantern slides by Mr Jarrott was shown following the address. The first competition for members was decided – the subject being “Group Photograph”.
The next reference to the society was in the Darling Downs Gazette on the 23 May 1905. It reported the formation of the Toowoomba Photographic Society on the evening of the 22 May 1905 at a meeting held in the Café Alexandra, Toowoomba. The officers appointed at this meeting were:
- President: W.R. Robinson
- Vice-Presidents: Rev Canon Pughe and G. Moloney
- Secretary: T.K. Lamb
- Treasurer: Murdoch McLeod
- Librarian and Lanternist: F.C. Wills
- Committee: W.J. Deazley, J. Moloney, E. Rosentengel, J. Young
The annual membership fee was fixed at 10 shillings for gents and 5 shillings for ladies and youths under 18, payable half-yearly in advance.
The rules for the society were drawn up by this committee on the following Friday, the 26th May 1905. The first meeting of the Society was held on Monday, 29th May 1905 at the Café Alexandra at 8.00pm. At this meeting the rules of membership were adopted and members enrolled in the newly formed Toowoomba Photographic Society.
Newspaper articles referencing the Toowoomba Photographic Society indicate it was active through until the later 1920s. The Australian Photo Review from March 1953 referenced the recent formation of the Toowoomba Camera Club. The club was reported to be receiving assistance from the Board of Adult Education which had provided two rooms, one of which can be fitted up as a darkroom. F.G. Crook-King had agreed to be the judge for monthly competitions. The Australasian Photo Review reported on the Annual General meeting of the Toowoomba Camera Club on the 8 January 1954 where the following officers were appointed:
- President: S. Apelt
- Secretary-Treasurer: M. Walter
- Committee: H.J. Merrin, J, Russell, K. Byrne, D. Stark and W, Shore
After a long history the Toowoomba Photographic Society continues to provide benefits to its members through competition, training opportunities and participation in club outings to further our photographic skills.
(Note: Further research is underway to flesh out the details of the Toowoomba Photographic Society history.)