Group M Photographers

Spokes person for the Group M photographic group, Albert Brown, is shown on the left.

Group M were an active and successful collection of still photographers which emerged from The Moggs Creek Clickers.

Albert played a large part in helping have still photography recognized by the Victorian Art Gallery.

Group M - A Concise History

The following essay was written in August 1993 by three Group M members; George Bell, Albert Brown and John Crook.

During the 1950's a group of photo enthusiasts formed a club called the Moggs Creek clickers. The name was derived from the area in and around Airey's Inlet in Victoria. The club gathered interest until the Clickers found themselves organising into specific groups, concentrating their efforts into special groups such as the Moving Clickers, slide presenters and photo journalists. The period was post World War II and there was a buoyant desire for change. The membership comprised people who were building holiday homes in the Airey's Inlet area. A spirit of cooperation prevailed, born of necessity. Mutual help was needed to construct holiday homes. The same cooperation was evident in regard to photographic skills. Amateur and professional needed each other's skills. Photo clubs and professional groups still adhered to their age-old methods - "that never the twain shall meet" in the city and suburbs of Melbourne. Born of necessity, the Clickers became an innovative group of photographers.

Now with a growing need to display their photo works, a city gallery was needed. A gallery cum club room was established at Pink Alley, Melbourne in the mid 1950's. During this period "Family of Man" created by Edward Steichen for the Museum of Modern Art, New York would be one of the most profound influences on photographic and presentation methods to come to Australia. This was probably the first time viewers were able to see photographs in a gallery atmosphere that were not under glass. The impact of that exhibition can readily be recalled by any person who saw the display. David Moore of Sydney was represented by a photograph in the "Family of Man". Later he was to regularly offer his services to Photovision's selection panel.

The influences on the Clickers were profound due to the past cooperation and events such as the "Family of Man". There was a need for more ambitious ventures. A new name was needed and a new venue for exhibitions. Henceforth, the Clickers would be known as Group M. This epithet was a derivative of Moggs Creek, near Airey's Inlet and a new more expansive area needed for future exhibitions. The Museum of Modern Art of Australia, under the direction of John Reed was approached at the suggestion of George Bell. Later Group M and a deputation lead by John Crook succeeded in negotiations and Photovision became an annual event at the Museum of Modern Art.

The first Photovision at the Museum of Modern Art, with entries from competitors worldwide, confirmed the group's planning for future Photovision competitions. Within two years Photovision had a substantial response from photographers around the world.

At this juncture Group M were confident enough to extend their exhibition ventures even further. An exhibition of photography, entitled "Urban Woman" was planned. The venue - Lower Melbourne Town Hall during 1963. The exhibition covering lives of urban women between childhood and death was designed by Melbourne designer, Max Forbes. The exhibition was opened by Myra Roper, an accomplished academic. Contemporary press reports acknowledged the exhibition open between August 27 and September 27,1963. Later the exhibition went on tour to Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

Soon after the Olympic Games were held in Mexico City. Australia needed to make some cultural contribution to the Games. Two contributions were made, a sculpture by Australian Clement Meadmore and Group M's "Urban Woman", were both displayed in Mexico.

Meanwhile John Reed and the management of the Museum of Modern Art were undergoing pressure to move from their Tavistock Place Gallery. After an initial search, a new gallery space for the Museum of Modern Art was found at Ball & Welsh, a multi-storied department store in Flinders Street, Melbourne.

The period of the mid 1960's will be remembered as a time of further involvement in armed conflict overseas. Some younger members of Group M were involved in the conscription, current in Australia at the time. Group M were still extant at the time and proceeded with an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, entitled, "A Time to Love" in 1965.

Only four photographers were represented in "A Time to Love" in 1965; Albert Brown, George Bell, John Crook and Roy McDonald. Each chose a specific subject - Albert Brown on Aborigines, George Bell on bushfires, John Crook on old people and Roy McDonald about mentally handicapped children. The exhibition received positive press reports, especially the Bulletin, October 23,1965, by art critic, Bill Hannan.

The writer of a short history of this nature must acknowledge that with a membership over various States, some members had only occasional contact. However, one must contend the achievements of Group M would never have occurred without their support.

Group M's final achievement during 1966 was to have a number of informal discussions with Eric Westbrook who was the Director of the National Gallery of Victoria. They not only were able to persuade Eric Westbrook that photography had a legitimate place in the National Gallery, but were able to help prepare the submission to the Trustees. Professor Allan Martin, who held the Foundation Chair of History at Latrobe University and Professor Geoffrey Blainey wrote letters supporting the submission. As a result the Trustees decided on 4 April 1967 to establish a Department of Photography.

The first exhibition arranged by the Department of Photography was "The Photographer's Eye". This was assembled by John Szarkowski from the work held by the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Kodak Australia sponsored this exhibition and subsequently provided funds annually for the acquisition of photographs.

Recent assistance has been given by John Bolton, Fred Mosse, Cliff Restarick and Harry Youlden.

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Group M at Bonbeach in 1989'  L to R, Albert Brown, George Bell, John Crook, Cliff Restarick, Roy McDonald, John Bolton.