A Brief History

of the

Welland Camera Club

     On February 4, 1961 the headline in the Evening Tribune read "Colour Slide Camera Club Proposed" The story that followed told how photography had become one of the most popular of all hobbies throughout the world and, until recent years, black and white prints were the only medium available to amateur photographers; however, with the advent of colour film and 35 mm cameras, photography had taken on a new and more important place in the lives of photographers. It was safe to say that there were more pictures taken on colour film through home movies, colour slides and colour prints than on black and white film.

     Interested people were invited to call "Red" Clements or Don Feduck and, if response warranted, a colour slide club would be formed.

     Aproximately 40 people responded. OFebruary 22, 1961, the "Welland Colour Slide Club" was created. The club functioned for the first few months under an executive group. This was shortly followed by an election of officers at the end of the first season. The temporary executive was composed of;

ChairmanDon Feduck
Secretary-TreasurerSerge Imbeault
Welcoming CommitteeO. "Red" Clements
John Derwinsky
Mrs. E. Hall
Cliff Healey
Janice Healey
Gord Marshall

    Meetings were held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at the Plaza Restaurant. For several weeks following the first all-important meeting there were interesting, educational, and imformative meetings.

     In May 1961, the following slate of officers was elected to guide the club.
PresidentO. "Red" Clements
Vice PresidentDon Smaith
Secretary-TreasurerMichael Bonnycastle
DirectorsE. Bowley
Cliff Healey
Morley Shortt

     Membership fees for the 1961-62 season were $2.50 for single and $3.50 for husband and wife.

     Over the years the club has evolved with the times. Eventually, during the 1994-95 season, the name was changed to the "Welland Camera Club" as it embrased mediums other than colour slide film.

     A high point in the club came in 1970 when three members became finalists in the Canada wide "Second Asahi World Photo Contest"; 
    • Janice Healey won first prize that included an all expenses paid trip to EXPO 70 in Osaka, Japan and a new Pentax camera with her name engraved on it.
    • Cliff Healey  won a prize consisting of one of every camers and lens manufactured by Pentax.
In the final competition, which included over 200,000 entries from 86 countries;
    • Cliff Healey won a 1st  and 4th in Category 1 (free title).
    • Janice Healey won a 3rd and 4th in Category 2 (special techniques).

CHARTER MEMBERS

Mr. Percy Adams
Mrs. Henry Atlins
Mrs. Effie Bailey
Mr. J. B. Barclay
Mr. & Mrs. M. Bonnycastle
Mr. Eric Bowley
Mrs. Pearl Brown
Mrs. E. W. Button
Mr. Eugine Canby
Mr. & Mrs. G. Caswell
Miss Dorothy Cartwright
Mr. & Mrs. L. Check  *
Mr. & Mrs. O. Clements
Mr. Gordon Danby
Mr. Jack W. Davis
Mr. & Mrs. Alan Dick
Mr. Carl Ekwall
Mr. Don Feduck   *
Mr. Harold Fox
Miss Helen Grenzeback
Mr. H. J. Hatch
Mrs. Mary Humphries
Mr. Don Kennedy
Miss Mary Kerr
Mr. & Mrs. Stan King
Mr. & Mrs. J. Clingender
Mr. Danny Koraard
Mr. Joe Lacroix
Miss Ada Leech
Mr. Art Mable
Mr.Alf Malcomson
Mr. Joe Malina
Mr. Bert Millard
Mr. Gord Marshall
Mr. Harry Oats
Miss Susie Oile
Miss Gloria Paola
Mr. F. Patterson
Mrs. L. R. Pattison
Mr. N. Petroff
Mr. Phil Post
Mr. Paul Perenack
Mr. J. E. Patyck
Mr. & Mrs. T. Putnam
Mr. & Mrs. H. L. Rice
Mr. & Mrs. D. Ricker
Miss Ruth Robins
Mr. & Mrs. A. Royal
Mr. Louis Sacco
Mr. William Salisbury
Mr. Glen Schultz
Miss Helen Skay
Mr. Don Smith
Dr. W. W. Snelling
Mr. & Mrs. D. Spicer
Mr. H. J. Stevens
Mr. Don Tait  *
Mr. & Mrs. P. Tomaino
Miss Ivy White

*  Currently a member.