Walkabouts

Weekend Walkabouts

Club members meet on a regular or sometimes casual basis – usually a Saturday or a Sunday – to explore the local regions and share their photographic skills.

More experienced club members mentor those who are still learning.

Contact the club for details of the next ramble: Email us at info@macedon-ranges-photography.org.au,  or check out the group Facebook page if you are a member.

Walkabouts: please support our guidelines:  In particular, this means:

• All members are welcome!  You can even bring a friend or partner.
• Please confirm your attendance if you wish to attend either via email or at a meeting.  If you decide on the day, please text the co-ordinator so that they know to expect you.
• Health and Safety is an important part of Walkabouts as we want all our members safe.  Please abide by all H&S Regulations throughout the Walkabout.
• Please be aware of any COVID-19 or any other government/health regulations if you are attending a Walkabout.

Next Walkabout

Walkabouts for next year have now been finalised with the whole year being planned in advance! Each month we will be going to places within Macedon, within Melbourne and within Victoria. Two weekend trips are planned next year, one to the Mornington Peninsula/Cape Schnack and another to Lake Tyrrell. Make sure you add these to your diary as they will be overnighters with accommodation and travel required.

Generally Walkabouts will be held on the 3rd weekend of the month, either on a Saturday or Sunday. While every attempt will be made to avoid changes, the club does reserve the right to change details should circumstances required it.

While the program has been established in advance, we may bring additional “pop up” walkabouts to the group. These will be brought to your attention as they arise.

If you are interested in attending the overnight walkabouts, you will be asked to register your interest as early as possible, so please let me know if you are interested. Assistance for transport will be available (i.e. car pooling) and we will make every attempt to seek discounted accommodation for members.

Below is a brief outline of the program:

• February 2024 – Dog Rocks, The Cascades ad maybe the Holden Museum – Metcalfe area.
• March 2024 – Serendip Sanctuary – Lara, Victoria
• April 2024 – Mornington Peninsula/Cape Schanck  – 3 day weekend – Morningtin Peninsula, Victoria
• May 2024 – Mt Macedon/Lake Sanitorium – Fungi Hunting – Mt Macedon, Victoria
• June 2024 – Mount Monument Winery – Romsey, Victoria
• July 2024 – Lake Tyrrell – 3 day weekend – Sea Lake, Victoria 
• August 2024 – Toolangi State Forest – Yarra Valley, Victoria
• September 2024 – Labassa Mansion – 3^rd Sunday of the Month – Caulfield North, Victoria
• October 2024 – Lambley Gardens – Ascot, Victoria

Future Walkabouts

Please see above program for next year.

Ideas for Walkabouts

If you have any ideas for Walkabouts, please let us know. We are always interested in new locations, subjects and ideas.

Previous Walkabouts

14 October 2023 – Ballart International Foto Bieannale

The walkabout for October was a little different as we took advantage of an offer to tour the two main exhibitions of the 2023 Foto Biennale. It was with pleasure that Vanessa, CEO of the Biennale, took us around the two exhibitions providing a commentary on the exhibitions that was both interesting and enlightening.

The Instant Warhol exhibition provided some unseen before polaroid photos from an Andy Warhol collection that showcased original polaroids rather than copies. Many were selfies of Warhol, but there were others of famous people such as Dolly Parton, Mick Jagger, Sylvester Stallone to name a few.

The Platon Exhibition showcased his portraits of famous actors, actresses, singers, designers and politicians. Other interesting works were photographs of humanitarian and activist activities. This shows his diverse photographic interests and impartial ethic when it comes to his photography. It was interesting to see how he undertook the technical side of his photography as well.

It was a very interesting day and the Foto Bieannale had other exhibitions and points of interest if you were so inclined.

16 September 2023 – Architecture Walkabout Southern Cross Station to Docklands

On Saturday we took to the streets under the leadership of Martin to check out, and photograph, architecture and other sights leaving from Southern Cross Station to Docklands.

During our walk we learned to think about things like perspective, different view and levels and to think outside of the box. We have a lovely day, the weather was perfect and I am sure we all walked away with a new insight into this genre of photography. It was also a good lead up to our in-house topic of Architecture in November.

Photos:

Top Row – Fiona Lorkin

Middle Row – Jenny Orford

Bottom Row – Andrew Hardwick

13 August 2023 – Gisborne Masters Football Club – Gardiner Reserve, Gisborne

On Sunday 13th August 2023 we went to the home game of the Bulldogs, Gisborne Masters Football Club. This was a return visit after going there last year as well and having the honour of being asked back was particularly pleasing for the club!

We had a lovely day to shoot the team as they headed for victory over the GV Giants. This was great practice for shooting in Shutter Priority mode (or Manual) and getting those action shots as the team kicked and ran to their ultimate win.

Photos: Bottom Row – Fiona Lookin, Middle Row – Andrew Hardwick, Top Row – John Spring

Princes Pier and Ferguson Street Pier

We were a bit worried heading into the city last night as the weather was not looking good! Light rain and lots of cloud greeted us on our way in. We arrived at Princes Pier and it was obvious we wouldn’t be getting any sunset, however we grabbed some pics and waiting for dark to get some reflections. The rain stopped and we lucked out with a small patch of light shining through and I think we managed to get some good photos. Playing with white balance to get different shades of colours added to the fun! About 6pm we headed to Williamstown for some Fish and Chips and then over to Ferguson Street Pier. The view greeting us there was fantastic and the weather couldn’t have been any better. The water was like glass and the view of the City was fantastic! Thanks to those who came along, it was another good Walkabout for the club.

Photos – Top Row – Nicky Donald, Middle Row – Ron Matthews, Bottom Row – Sue Steward

Silo Trail and Winton Wetlands – 24/25 June 2023

Our Silo Trail and overnight stay in Benalla to take in the Winton Wetlands was a wonderful success with a very good time had by all. The weather held out for us until we were about an hour or so into out night photography at Winton Wetlands. Unfortunately no Astro was able to be done but we still learnt and had a go at some long exposure photography. It was back to the Wetlands in the morning for some shots of birds and wetlands in general and then back on the road to complete our Silo Trail. The weather was again our friend with only an interruption at Rochester and then again on the final drive home. Thanks to all those who attended.

Photos:

Bottom Row – Ron Matthews, Next Row – Jon Spring, Next Row – Stan Mansas, Next 2 Rows – James Holgate, Top Row – Wendy Omyla

13 May 2023 – Mt Macedon – Fungi

We had a lovely day to be hunting down Fungi around the paths of Sanatorium Lake in Mt Macedon. A great turn out of people to try their luck hunting different types, sizes and colours of fungi and other interesting Forna.

Photos:

Top Row – Nicky Donald

Bottom Row – Tom Templeton, Ron Matthews and David Aitken

22 and 23rd April 2023 – Maldon British Bike Rally and Rippon Lea Estate

On Sunday 23rd April 2023 11 members went to Rippon Lea Estate to take the tour through the lovely Estate house and then walk around the gardens. We lucked out on another lovely day and finished with a lovely cuppa as well. The Estate was well worth the visit!

Photos:

First row – Fiona Lorkin

Second Row – Nicky Donald

Third Row – Chris Antoniou

On Saturday 22nd April 2023 we headed to Maldon to see the British Bike Rally come into town. There were plenty of interesting bikes and people to take photos of and the weather was brilliant for the day as well.

Photos:

Top Row – Ron Mathews

Second Row – Don Dennett

Third Row – Colleen Mahoney

Fourth Row – James Holgate

25 March 2023 – Melbourne CBD

Top row of photos – courtesy of Nicky Donald

Second row of photos – courtesy of Ron Matthews

Third row of photos – courtesy of Sue Steward

February 2023 – Pride Parade, St Kilda

15.02.20 Walkabout to ‘Sculpture in Motion’ Hanging Rock Winery

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Next Walkabout – Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd April 2023

For our April Walkabout it will be two-fold.  Firstly on Saturday 22nd April 2023 we will meet in Maldon to view the All British Rally motorcycles ride into town.  There are approx 1000 motorcycles in the Rally so we should see some really great bikes to photograph.

The second part of the April Walkabout will be a visit to Rippenlea Estate.  Here we will visit the Gardens and the Mansion.  Please note there is a small fee involved of $15.00, so we will be seeking pre-registration for this.  If we can register enough members we can get a discount on the fee and have our own guide.

Future Walkabouts

Our June Walkabout is likely to be an overnight one – here we are hoping to do a small Silo Trail trip to visit 3-5 of the silos with their beautiful artwork.  We will put out more information regarding this in due course.

Our July Walkabout is likely to be Princes Pier.  Here will will take photos of the wonderful reflections that you get at dusk/night.  This is a very popular location and I am sure you will enjoy a visit there at night for this.

Ideas for Walkabouts

If you have any ideas for Walkabouts, please let us know. We are always interested in new locations, subjects and ideas.