Early days

Eager to set their new club in motion, members held their first official meeting in October that year. This was followed by meetings on a monthly basis at the home of Honorary Treasurer Mr Chan. Soon, other people came to know about the group and publicity in the press led to the Camera Club receiving enquiries from other like-minded enthusiasts. A monthly bulletin helped spread word of the club’s activities.

Besides enjoying the convenience of a regular meeting place, club members also requested for darkroom and studio facilities. It was then that the club moved to a temporary clubhouse at 33 Kent Road, and later again to 57 Pheng Gek Avenue.

These moves were made possible through the support of esteemed photographers Ang Chwee Chai BBM, Dr Carl A Gibson-Hill and Dato Loke Wan Tho. Both Mr Ang and Dr Gibson-Hill served terms as club president, while Dato Loke was its vice-president. Other men such as William Tan (Patron of the Club) and Chu Siu Mong, as well as club members and well-wishers made contributions in kind to ensure the survival of the club.

When fully fledged, Singapore Camera Club had many illustrious members of the community as its patrons. Among them were Viscount Hanworth, Dato C J Paglar and the Rt Hon. Malcolm MacDonald. It was Governor-General MacDonald who officially opened the clubhouse at Pheng Gek Avenue in 1953. Life-long patrons through the years included Singapore Presidents Yusof Ishak and Benjamin Sheares.