The ACOCP Exhibition Launch was a huge success! The MLC Gallery looked fantastic with all the beautiful photographs of our families and there were a large number of attendees on the night. There were quite a few ACOCP photographers and ACOCP families that had flown interstate to be here on the night as well. We had a wonderful speech to kick start the proceedings by our President, Jessie Broome who welcomed everyone and expressed her exhileration in finally seeing our first exhibition before her very eyes… after dreaming up the idea a long time ago. We then had our fabulous curator, Cristina Garduno Freeman said many wonderful things about the exhibition. One comment in particular of hers has struck a chord in everyone there:
“These photographs are more than just images, each one tells the story of a young life, at times tragically short, at times endured, but always loved. These photographs are not documentaries but rather tangible memories that help the families both grieve and delight in their children. These photographs show the significant role that photography plays is creating a sense of family for all of us.”
We also had an Obstetrics social worker, Deb de Wilde who has been in the industry for 20 years, speak about her support and thanks for the ACOCP and expressed from a medical support staff’s point of view, how important these photographs were for these families. Our president Jessie Broome, once did a heart wrenching job for a beautiful set of identical girl twins, Ava and Brianna. The were born early and unfortunately did not survive, but Jess was able to capture some beautiful family moments for them together. Ava and Brianna’s parents flew up from Melbourne to tell their story at our exhibition launch, and it was such a beautiful yet such a sad story that it did not leave a dry eye in the house. I personally heard many people on the night, mention that they had expected to be touched by these stories but were truly blown away by the compassion and dedication from everyone involved. I have included a few photographs below.
Nat Green, the ACOCP publicist, Cristina Garduno Freeman, the ACOCP exhibition curator,
Nettra Chetty, ACOCP Exhibition Coordinator
and Nicole Boenig-McGrade, a wonderful photographer who donated to our silent auction
