Nation’s pride

By Casey Neill
A KALLISTA photographer is lending a hand to grieving families and babies struggling for life.
Stephen Eleveld will volunteer his time and skills for the Bonnie Babes Foundation’s Pride of the Nation project.
The annual coffee table book features photographs of children aged up to 15 years and aims to celebrate new life and showcase Australia’s diversity.
Participating photographers donate their normal sitting fee of $50 to $75 to the not for profit charity.
“Obviously it’s a good cause,” Mr Eleveld said.
“It’s got a good history, a long history, and from the feedback I’ve got people enjoy the experience.”
This is Mr Eleveld’s third year working on Pride of the Nation. He said the Bonnie Babes Foundation’s government funding was cut back last year.
“So they’re relying on this more than ever,” he said.
Mr Eleveld has been a photographer for 25 years and specialises in location work.
“Generally, I feel the best shots of kids are outdoors – weather dependant,” he said. Pride of the Nation photos must be submitted by the end of August.
“So they really need to be taken by the end of July,” Mr Eleveld said.
The Bonnie Babes Foundation helps more than 17,000 families each year through free counselling, education, medical equipment, financial support and medical research. One in every four pregnancies ends in miscarriage or stillbirth and one in every 10 babies is born prematurely.
The foundation also supports families dealing with infertility.
Readers can contact Bonnie Babes Foundation on 9803 1800 or visit www.bbf.org.au for more information.