On October 7th 1981 a meeting was held amongst a group of people invited by Gordon Allingham, with the idea of forming a Photographic Club. From this meeting the Diamond Valley Photographic Society was formed with Gordon as its inaugural President and 15 members.

Early meetings were held at Studio 4 in Beewar St. Greensborough where Gordon ran a picture framing business. After 3 other venues we finally settled at the Greensborough Senior Citizens Hall in Henry Street, Greensborough in 1986. In early August 2005, after the Banyule shire announced un-acceptable rent increases, we moved to the Diamond Valley Art Society situated on the grounds of the Greensborough Secondary College.   In March 2012 we moved to the hall at the rear of the Gresswell Uniting Church at 71 Devonshire Road, Watsonia.  We meet there on the second and fourth Wednesday's of the month at 8.00 p.m.

One of our early interclub competitions was between the Sandy Camera Club in the U.K. and our society. This came about due to the fact that our second president - Brian Keeles' brother in law was president of that club. Slides were the medium used and this continued from 1983 to 1994 when their club found it too difficult to get entries. We still compete with Rosanna Camera Club, this commenced in 1983. Then in 1996 we have shared an interclub with Alexandra Camera Club. All enjoy the social aspect of these meetings and gain from them.

DVPS became a member of V.A.P.S. in 1987 and since 1996 have submitted entries to the Convention InterClub with some of our members attending the Queen's Birthday VAPS Conventions.

DVPS activities provide the opportunity for Field trips, and weekends away, also social events when members can relax and get to know each other in a friendly atmosphere. One of our earlier Presidents' dubbed us "The Friendly Club" and it is a title we wear with pride. In recent years we have participated in local Community events and this has been a good source of new members for the Society.

The aims of the Society to be on the following lines...
1. To increase the knowledge of photography and their photographic techniques.
2. To promote fellowship and exchange ideas.
3. To hold and take part in exhibitions, interclub and in-house competitions
4. Hold lectures and photographic courses.
5. To interest more people in photography as a hobby.
6. Promote the advancement of photography as a science and art.

Over the years the Society has always maintained a strong central core of members

Life Members

The organisation, from time to time honours with Life Membership those who have advanced the aims of the society over an extended period.

Gordon Allingham (dec.)

A box Brownie and the Melbourne cup seems a strange combination.  Throw in a keen sense of humour and a remarkably positive attitude to life and you may know something of the life of Gordon Allingham.   His tenth birthday present, a box Brownie, led to a distinguished career in photography.  He was the official photographer for 30 Melbourne Cups.  Gordon worked for the Age and Melbourne Truth newspapers as well as the Womans Day and Pix magazines. His career took him to all levels of society.

Gordon established a number of community groups including on 7th October 1981, the Diamond Valley Photographic Society.  It began in Gordon's picture framing business in Beewar street Greensborough.  Gordon led the club with his usual enthusiasm, drive, energy and flair that he brought to all of his activities.  The club became associated with V.A.P.S. and Gordon participated in both club and V.A.P.S. competitions, winning awards and merits for his work.  He was made a life member of the Society in 1983.  He died 22nd August 2000.

Ada Allingham - 1999

Right from the starting of the Society, Ada stood beside Gordon in his work. In the 18 years preceding her appointment as a life member on 3rd December 1999, Ada had held office either as President, or Secretary, or Treasurer or V-President for 14 years, as well as being in other years an ordinary committee member. During the last four years Ada has served another 2 years as President, and 2 years as a committee member. There is no doubt that the club owes a great deal to her consistent, efforts on behalf of others.

Like Gordon, Ada has been consistently helpful to new members, and they both encouraged new members to participate in all aspects of the club.

Fred Mitchell - 2003

Fred has been a member of our club for a number of years, always getting involved in committee work of some kind and keeps the committee "honest"; in thinking through issues. Fred has promoted your club by holding very informative talks on digital correction by software to prints, organized massive meetings with representatives from Epson and Michaels presenting the latest in digital printers and software. Fred has also, whilst fighting to keep his health up to scratch, held the office of President, conning Gordon Allingham to be his " public face" at functions such as the presentation dinner. The motion received by committee was seconded and all members present voted in favour of presenting the award.
 

Allan Burfitt - 2010

DVPS life members Ada Allingham and Fred Mitchell welcomed Allan Burfitt as the newest life member of the society at our annual awards night in December 2010.  Life membership recognises significant contribution over time to the DVPS. Allan joined the DVPS in 1995 and has served the club with distinction in many roles including Competition Steward, Vice President and President as well as representing the DVPS as our delegate to the Victorian Amateur Photographic Society (VAPS). There are very few, if any DVPS activities in which Allan has not made a significant contribution as a planner, organiser or worker and over the years, where members have found him to be very supportive and willing to share his knowledge of photography. In addition to his many DVPS activities, Allan also finds time to voluntarily judge competitions for other clubs and in this role is an excellent ambassador for the DVPS in the broader photographic community.