Long-time Emerald resident and photographer, Paul Bianco is shining a spotlight on the power, presence, and contribution of older community members in his latest exhibition ‘Life in the Senior’s Lane’.
The exhibition, which features a series of photographic portraits, nine individuals, five couples, and a large community group is on show at the Fernlea Community House Hall in Emerald from 13 to 27 October in conjunction with the Senior Festival.
Mr Bianco said the main purpose of highlighting a cross-section of Emerald’s senior citizens is to showcase those who remain actively involved in the community.
The founding member of the Hills Photographic Society and former teacher said the exhibition has been years in the making and reflects his growing awareness of how many older residents contribute meaningfully behind the scenes.
“I’ve been thinking about doing it for a few years,” Mr Bianco said.
“I wanted to photograph people who aren’t necessarily famous around town, but who get involved and do stuff, no matter how old they are.”
Each portrait is accompanied by a short biography detailing the subject’s community contributions.
Among them are former councillors, society presidents, artists, musicians, and volunteers, some well-recognised in Emerald, others less known but no less active.
“There are people here that you may already know, but there are going to be people you’re just meeting for the first time and it’s good to know about them,” Mr Bianco said.
The exhibition also highlights Emerald’s strong ties to University of the Third Age (U3A), where Mr Bianco himself teaches photography classes to fellow seniors and with over 400 members locally.
The U3A Emerald offers around 50 activities, ranging from table tennis and calligraphy to music and painting, all are run by volunteers.
“A lot of people just don’t know that U3A exists,” Mr Bianco said.
“It’s all about staying active, mentally, and physically. You don’t have to sit around at home. There’s always something to get involved in.”
It’s this very message, of staying engaged and connected that Mr Bianco hopes visitors take away from Life in the Senior’s Lane.
“Age is no barrier to being involved and keeping active,” he said.
“You see someone in the street and think, ‘just another old person’, but that person might be heavily involved in community life, still playing table tennis at 85, still on committees, still contributing.”
Subjects featured in the exhibition include a long-serving member of the CFA, Graeme Legge, former Shire President and founder of the Emerald ambulance service, Nolene Blair, who helped establish the PAVE Festival and was named Emerald Citizen of the Year in 2012; and long-time president of the Emerald Arts Society, Russell Simpson.
The Lions Club and Emerald’s oldest Rotarian, aged 85, are also captured as part of the series.
Also featured are active members of Emerald U3A, Mac and Kay Craig.
Mac who’s a passionate poetry tutor known for reciting classics like The Man from Snowy River and The Sentimental Bloke, and Kay, who leads Botanical Art and Book Group sessions, have both contributed significantly to lifelong learning in the local community.
Mr Bianco said everyone he approached was eager to take part.
“They were quite chuffed, I think, that someone was showing an interest in them and telling their story, it means something,” he said.
Though mainly retired from commercial photography, Mr Bianco remains deeply involved in the craft.
Alongside running U3A classes and documenting community events, he continues to foster local interest in photography through the Hills Photographic Society, which he helped establish in 2016.
“You don’t have to be an experienced photographer to get out there with your phone or camera and take great photos,” Mr Bianco said.
“It gets you out of the house, away from the TV, and gives you something creative to do.”
Life in the Senior’s Lane is open to the public from 13 to 27 October at Fernlea Community House Hall, located at 356 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald.
