By Romy Stephens
A Ferntree Gully photographer has taken out a major prize in this year’s Victorian Community History Awards.
Nick Anchen was awarded the Judges’ Special Prize for his book Visions of Victoria: The Magic of Kodachrome Film, 1950-1975.
The book is filled with historical images of Melbourne and some country towns that were taken using Kodachrome from the 1950s to mid-1970s.
Mr Anchen said he was “thrilled” to have taken out the Judges’ Special Prize.
“It was nice to be recognised because I’ve been entering the competition for years and I’ve never won a thing,” he said.
“I think I’ve done books before that were good enough to win but they’ve been on railway history.
“When you look at the competition and all the other people that won, I was pretty impressed.”
The Victorian Community History Awards judges’ comments commended the book’s recollection of history and its high-quality finish.
“This volume is testament to the enduring quality of the film, as well as the sharpness of image and fastness of colour that were its hallmarks,” the comments said.
“Reproduction of the selected images, about 150 in total, is of excellent quality; aided by the glossy heavy-weight paper used throughout.
“At first glance it is the colour and sharpness of the images that hold attention. But the subject matter soon speaks for itself, and one’s attention is held fast by the realisation of how much has changed in our cities and towns since these photographs were taken. It is, indeed, a vision of a former Victoria.”
Mr Anchen said that although it was nice to have received $500 for the win, he was more satisfied with being able to say he was now “an award winning author.”
Having entered the Victorian Community History Awards about seven times, the Ferntree Gully photographer already has his sights set on next year’s entry.
“I’m working on a book, hopefully for next year. It’s a similar sort of book but on Victorian Railway History,” Mr Anchen said.
“It’s going to be a big impressive book, I’ll be entering that for sure. If that doesn’t win I give up.”
Amanda Scardamaglia’s book Printed on Stone: The Lithographs of Charles Troedel took out the major Premier’s History Award.
The full list of winners is available at prov.vic.gov.au and historyvictoria.org.au.
