By KATH GANNAWAY
TWO enduring Warburton talents have come together to put the town in the national lens.
Retired film-maker and photographer Ivan Gaal’s photograph of 99-year-old Ronnie Howard is one of works in the 2015 National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition on show at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
Ron is Still Dancing at 98 is one of 44 portraits selected from 2500 entries from around Australia for the photographic equivalent of the Archibald Prize.
Mr Gaal said he knew eight years ago when he saw Ronnie take to the dance floor that he wanted to capture him on film.
It wasn’t until he got to know him and discovered his leading role in saving the Mechanic’s Hall in Warburton, his jazz connections and that he donated a piano for the hall, that he knew how to capture his unique subject.
The competition aims to reflect the distinctive vision of Australia’s aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.
“I think I managed,” Mr Gaal said, and it’s not only the judges who agree.
Ronnie described Ivan as a genius with a camera.
And he is thrilled with the portrait which he said captures and celebrates so many of the things he is passionate about.
“I have danced all my life.
“I just love people, and I love dancing.
“It’s something I shared with my twin sisters, Jean, who has passed on, and Sheila who is 102 in June,” he said.
He will celebrate his 100th birthday on 29 January next year.
The photo, taken in front of the stage in the Mechanics Institute, recognises a community triumph in saving the hall which was earmarked for demolition.
“I’m not a skite,” Ronnie said, “but it celebrates the hall and the beauty of my neighbours who helped me when we started a fund going.”
The exhibition will travel throughout north-east Australia, but won’t come to Victoria.
There is the opportunity, however, to vote in the People’s Choice Award.
Those who want to vote can visit portrait.gov.au/poll/nppp2015-peoples-choice and click on their favourite (Ronnie) portrait.
Voting closes on Monday 8 June.
