Palli Gajree OAM MFIAP HonFRPS HonEFIAP FAPS ESAPS ©
The A R Andrews Trust Fund was established by Bert Andrews way back in 1975. Whilst they are not, strictly speaking, APS Officers, the APS Management Committee nevertheless is the body that appoints three people to act as Trustees for three year terms. Most recently it appointed Brian Rope, Jim Mason and Graeme Watson as the current Trustees, with Brian as the Convenor. Whilst Brian has been a Trustee for some years, both Jim and Graeme are new to the task. The need for new Trustees (and a new Convenor) arose from the loss of two long-serving Trustees, the late Andrew Gibson and Hal Wise. Indeed, Hal was one of the three original Trustees and had served continuously until his death.
The Trustees are able to apply the available funds to enable groups within the APS to conduct and organise regional conventions, seminars, exhibitions, workshops, publications, studies or other similar activities designed to advance the art and science of photography. This can be done:
* by way of grants or advances;
* by spending funds; or
* by providing facilities or awards.
Unfortunately, the use of the Fund has been quite limited since its inception. In its early days, there seemed to be a feeling that any profits from Trust-funded ventures should be returned to the Fund, and that possibly limited its potential use. However, even after checking with Bert Andrews and obtaining his reassurance that it was entirely up to the Trustees to utilise available funds in accordance with the terms of the Trust, the number of successful applications for funds has remained limited.
The new Trustees feel that what is needed is some lateral thinking to develop some specific ideas for use of the Fund. They have embarked on such an exercise and would be very pleased to hear from any APS member with any suggestions for consideration. To help stimulate your thoughts, the Trustees wish to float the following thought starters past you:
* provision of awards for Juniors in national exhibitions?
* seed funding for new international exhibitions?
* assistance to participate in such events as the Daylesford Foto
Biennale?
* electronic exhibition catalogues?
* touring exhibitions/seminars for regional centres?
These are simply a few random thoughts and, hopefully, members will have much more wonderful ideas for consideration and exploration. Ideally, the ideas will be adventuresome, innovative and ground-breaking - to truly advance the art and science of photography. Please forward your suggestions to Brian Rope at 27 Miranda Place, Melba, ACT, 2615 or winfocus@ozemail.com.au.
Of course, specific applications for funding may be lodged at any time, if you already have a proposal for consideration.
If you would like to make a donation to the A R Andrews Trust Fund, please contact the secretary for the APS bank details where you can make a direct deposit.