Photos foster a passionate gift

By Kelly Yates
A PASSION for photography has led to a Narre Warren South woman organising a charity photo exhibition to help raise money for the not-for-profit charity, Barnardos.
Marie Geritz has spent the past 12 months planning the Celebration of Creation 2010 exhibition, which showcases the work of local photographers.
Ms Geritz said she ran the exhibition each year, choosing to donate the funds raised to an overseas charity one year and then an Australian-based charity the next year.
Last year, the 32-year-old helped collect more than $3000 for the Life House Kids orphanage in Bali, Indonesia.
“This is the fifth year we’ve run the event. It all started as I wanted to use my hobby of photography to raise money for charity,” she said.
This year’s event will be held at the Berwick Anglican Church from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 February.
According to Ms Geritz, around 115 photographs will be on show.
The photos, by emerging photographers of all ages, capture images of people, animals, landscapes, buildings and architecture.
Ms Geritz picked Barnardos to receive 100 per cent of the profits from the event because of the organisation’s work supporting children who may be suffering from, or who are at risk of abuse, neglect, homelessness or poverty.
The support is achieved through family crisis support services such as crisis foster care and accommodation and working with communities through community development, education and health programs.
“One of the main aims of the exhibition is to help those less fortunate,” she said.
Ms Geritz is encouraging the community to come along to the exhibition.
All of the photos on display are for sale, with the prices ranging from $20.
The cost to view the exhibition is a gold coin donation.
For details visit www.members.optusnet.com.au/~bac_celebration