,m ,m February 2014 ISSUE 2 Western Australian Underwater Photographic Societyʼs Bi-annual Underwater Journal

inc. WAUPS celebrates 30 years How things have changed Member profile PIXELS winners

Film to digital Evolution of cameras WAUPS from the beginning and now 2 ,m ,m

February 2014 Issue 2

6

Contents

4 Editorial 16 WAUPs Timeline Welcome to the Water Column Thirty years of club history Wayne’s Underwater World of Humour Award 22 PIXELS winners 6 Member Profile Last six months of results Wayne Storrie 24 Overall PIXELS winner Chris Holman 8 WAUPS: the beginning Twelve months of persistance pays off Ann Storrie on how it all started 26 Creature Feature 10 Bob Cotton Sea lions A look back at a very talented artist 28 Not an ugly duckling 11 The WAUPS trophy WAUPS involvement in the sinking of the HMAS How it came to pass Swan 12 30...and 120 Years On 30 Parting shot Pat Baker on the history of underwater photography Maryann Evetts captures a seahorse giving birth

Cover by Peter Nicholas, illustrating the changes in 30 years. Additional photo credit for latest housing – Rowan Morrison

Publishing credits Editor Viv Matson-Larkin Associate editors Tammy Gibbs, Sue Morrison 3 Layout and design Peter Nicholas Pre-press and print Uni Print WAUPS inc. , EDITOR S BUBBLES

This year marks the 30th anniversary All the dive excursions, local members, organised an excursion, of our underwater camera club, a exhibitions, the who’s-who of guest given presentations, run workshops, wonderful milestone! speakers, photographic competitions, taken the time to write an article, etc, To kick-off the celebrations, and other projects the club has been WAUPS would simply not exist. members gathered on Sunday the 2nd involved with. Providing images for This issue is dedicated to the of February at the Kwinana Grain various educational and not-for- memory of Wayne Storrie and will Terminal for an anniversary dive, profit groups, books and websites, I hope, serve as a token for the love, followed by a bbq. posters and pamphlets and so on. respect, and gratitude of his support Our grand event, where current I’d like to acknowledge the central for WAUPS since its inception. In his and former members with partners, role that the clubs volunteers - your honour, Ann is organising a special friends and club sponsors will enjoy committee as well as the contributors photographic competition that will be a three course meal will be on the to the magazines, enews, website and held annually starting this June. evening of February 22nd at the Swan facebook - have played in cultivating Thank you to everyone who has Yacht Club. and sustaining the society over the helped make WAUPS what it is. It has been fascinating looking years. back on the timeline of key events and Without our core group of helpers Viv memories which are part of the club’s from the President down, editors, web history. managers, those who have mentored

WAYNE’S UNDERWATER WORLD OF HUMOUR AWARD

This annual award represents the fun and love of diving, a passion of one the founding members of WAUPS, Wayne Storrie. Topic: Anything humorous taken underwater or as a split shot. For example – funny fish faces, divers in a humorous position or situation, a composite of arranged subjects, a digitally enhanced image. Let your imagination run wild and make us laugh. Date: Entries close 3rd June each year. Photographs judged and winner announced at the June meeting. Prizes: A Perpetual Trophy plus a small personal trophy. Humorous or other prizes may also be awarded. Judges: One person, or more, who knew and appreciated Wayne’s sense of humour. Judges do not necessarily have to be underwater photographers. Format: As per the Pixels monthly competition with jpeg files no larger than 1MB. Email address TBA. Rule: Marine life is not to be intentionally disturbed or moved when composing or taking the image. Note: These rules may be subject to change annually. The important issue is to get out there and have fun on every dive.

4 WAUPS pinboard things to do * fill tanks * light box for Daniel * charge batteries

Oldest Underwater Photographic Club in Australia

WAUPS dive 30th Anniversery Sunday Dinner 22 Feb 8am Ring Sue bring BBQ food and Tammy 5 Member Profile and Remembrance Wayne Storrie 1950-2013

by Ann Storrie

Once upon a time (in 1981) I arrived As well as founding and diving tolerant bystander, the critic, the IT home from work and announced to with WAUPS, we joined Hugh Morrison specialist, the camera repairer and the Wayne that I would like to do a dive and partners at Perth Diving Academy provider of endless amusement that course with some friends and would he on a roller coaster ride of underwater certainly helped to keep our side of the be interested? Being the most myopic exploration of Australia and Asia. This production alive. person I’ve ever known and a rather was a period that lasted 30 years for us Wayne was never as manic about inactive computer geek at the time, I and involved the discovery of several photography as I, often diving without didn’t think Wayne would join us. But, top dive sites, the production of nearly a camera just to enjoy the pleasure of as always, he supported and surprised 200 articles and nine books on diving, floating about with marine life. Having me. He found an Optician in Perth marine biology and the natural world. said that, he still took thousands of who had successfully glued lenses into Wayne always took the back seat, photos, producing an absolute cracker a few dive masks. Within weeks, we feeling very embarrassed and accepting every now and again! In 1987, he won were off and racing into some of the little acknowledgment for his role in the Australian Federation’s underwater most remarkable adventures many our achievements. Yet Wayne was the photography section with the could only dream about. anchor, the lateral thinker, the (usually) scorpionfish. Yes, you may well laugh now, but in those days, with manual flash, Nikonos IVA camera, slide film, diving alone towing a dive flag, and one hour maximum off Rottnest in terrible vis and conditions, it was no mean feat! One of Wayne’s most loved images was taken in 1993 when, together with Hugh and Bonnie Morrison and Donovan Whitford from Kupang Dive, we reached a little island named Alor, north of Timor. The Pantar Strait runs between the Islands of Alor and Pantar. It is an amazing area with three small inhabited islands within the Strait and drop offs a few hundred metres deep. At the northern end, the water temperature hits around 28 degrees C, while at the southern end, with upwelling currents from the colder Savu Sea, the temperature can suddenly plummet

6 over 10 degrees. As you can imagine, the marine life is diverse and unique. Kelp beds even grow on the southern shores of Alor and Pantar. The Kalabahi Wayne was a great buddy, always Strait that carves its way through the ensuring that I was totally independent! mountains of Alor offers muck diving He was also a tolerant dive model and, to rival the Lembeh Strait. on occasions, a somewhat reluctant photographer of divers. He hated sea We spent nearly two weeks of our nine snakes. I loved them and often tried week backpacking adventure through to entice him to come close enough Eastern Indonesia exploring Alor. The to take photos of snakes around me. locals said they had never seen divers He managed a couple that I treasure. before. The children and men swam and His humorous stories of these tales canoed above us whenever we dived and many more (some of almost life- near a village. Wayne looked up and threatening disasters!) provided solid snapped his award winning picture laughter to many people for many “The Children of Alor” (pictured above). years. Donovan and his father Graham quickly encompassed Alor in their dive business Wayne, you will be remembered for and it was soon reported as one of the far more than your photographs and, top ten dive sites in the world. my darl, I will always love you.

7 WAUPS:WAUPS: TheThe beginningbeginning

Setting High seas, small boat Date September 1983 Place Indian Ocean, west of Broome Main Players Graham and Ingrid Little Ann and Wayne Storrie Narration Ann Storrie

No, Ingrid, I’m never sea sick and I’ve been to Rottnest Broome, one hour many times! before embarkation (while eating a huge bowl of Spaghetti Bolognaise and drinking a large Chocolate Milkshake):

Yeh never felt better. Be back in a minute after I go Are you OK Ann? outside and throw up! EIGHTEEN High Seas, hours later. twenty

minutes west of Broome.

Why on earth am I doing this? I’ve been over the side every 20 minutes for the entire trip and now they expect me to dive! How on earth could I have let Wayne talk me into coming 280km off shore in a small boat with drinking water only 8 for over a week? Never again!” with vertigo. But it was such a different The aims of the Society were outlined, a world, being surrounded by amazing constitution discussed (which was later to creatures that were totally foreign to be drawn up by Wayne Storrie), meetings most land lovers and which whetted our and outings were bandied about and of appetites for more knowledge and the course, membership applications and And so began one of the most remarkable ability to record them. finances were organised. We had agreed and fruitful journeys of our lives. WAUPS:WAUPS: TheThe beginningbeginning So, after a week of perfect weather, on bi-monthly meetings and by our next We were aboard Perth Diving fresh fish daily on the BBQ, pristine reefs meeting which was at the Chelsea Tavern Academy’s ‘Lionfish 1’ with co-owner and marine life, fun, laughter and great in Nedlands in March, things were rolling and dive master Simon Jones, seven other company, I again lay prostrate and sick on along nicely. We welcomed Judy Pitt to fill passengers and John Mangeni at the the deck of the ‘Lionfish’. My mind raced one last vacancy on the Committee. helm. Included on the passenger list were over the past few days, wondering how to Our first outing was to Busselton Graham and Ingrid Little. Graham was learn more about underwater photography Jetty. Ingrid, Graham, Terry Mau, Luba armed with a Nikonos II and Nikonos III and this amazing environment. Then Malecki, Wayne and I walked onto piles camera with a manual strobe that flooded suddenly, WAUPS, over the side again of 2 metre high seaweed, braced ourselves after every dive. Ingrid had a Eumig, and the Western Australian Underwater against the wind and watched the waves Photographic Society was born! underwater super 8 movie camera. I had crashing on the shore of Geographe Bay. the new Nikonos IVA with a Sunpak Graham and Ingrid were keen. They The wineries were a huge success! manual strobe. Graham and Ingrid also gave me the number of underwater photo- Our meetings, on the other hand, were had a couple of ID marine life books and journalist, John Butler. He was keen well attended and dry! So much so that loads of knowledge. and gave me the number of professional by June, it was decided to have monthly Maritime Museum photographer, Patrick meetings at the Chelsea Tavern. Early After that first dive I was hooked. For Baker. Pat was keen and said ‘Let’s do it’. the next week we poured over the books’ guest speakers included Pat Baker, John photos of butterflyfishes, angelfishes, I spent the next three months Butler, and Clay Bryce. Workshops on damsels, and wrasses. Graham recorded distributing pamphlets, ringing those I lighting techniques were held, a photo everything he saw and took, even knew would be interested and organising comp for the magazine’s cover picture was the invertebrates that were, to me, the venue, helpers, food, etc. In January ripping along and members’ photographic unrecognisable as animals. We argued 1984 on the hottest night of the year at efforts were acknowledged in ‘show and over species, agonised over the workings the WA Naturalist’s club hall in Nedlands, tell’ nights. However, we decided not Patrick spoke on “History under the of our complex equipment, discussed film to organise another dive outing until Sea. A Photographic View”. Over 100 types and became best friends. summer! underwater photographers, divers and Wayne was also hooked on diving – friends attended. It was a wonderful, And you’d never guess where that though more-so on the tranquillity of inspiring evening that culminated in the was held. Lake Leschenaultia! (Definitely being underwater than taking photos. I selection of the first WAUPS committee: taking no chances on the weather!). Eight dived and the BBQ afterwards ended a often wondered about this, as, for Wayne, President Pat Baker tranquillity was a dubious title. On that pleasant day. Although the dive was not trip alone, he was bitten on the ankle by a Vice President John Butler awe inspiring, the marron and minnows were challenging subjects. This successful potato cod, blew another hose, banged his Secretary Frits Breuseker head on every low structure on the boat outing was soon followed by dives at (that became mandatory for every dive Treasurer Graham Little Cockburn Sound, Rottnest, and Busselton Jetty and then on to exotic places far and trip for the next 30 years), got caught in Editor Ann Storrie a bad current and, on the last dive, had to wide (though we always came back to Committee Sue Owens (Morrison) these 3 as staple dive sites). come to the aid by buddy breathing with another friend who had run out of air as Gerhard Saueracker The WAUPS Year Book was started her husband sat at 25 metres, vomiting John Brown and depicts an interesting assortment of activities and history of our industrious group. Although memberships were small compared to other large, general camera clubs, we made up for it with enthusiasm, occasionally attracting nearly all members to a function. During winter, rather than repeat our first disastrous attempt, we took to the bush. Orchid hunting and possum spotting became, for some, as much a part of WAUPS activities as diving. For Wayne and me, WAUPS was a very big part of our lives. It is wonderful to see how it has prospered and grown. Thank you to all who have contributed, not only on committees, but as members. The Society would not exist without you.

9 Bob Cotton artist extrordinaire Bob Cotton was a long-serving WAUPS committee member and past president. Sadly he passed away in early 2012 after a brief illness. Older members have fond memories of Bob, who was a quiet, unassuming person. He was always willing to help, and served many years on the committee in the early 90s. He instigated the infamous local ‘Ice-Breaker Dives’ and competitions in early spring, to get members back in the water after winter. We’d usually go to the Ammo Jetty in the freezing early hours of the morning and Bob’s strict rules entailed being in the water by 7am, or missing out on the competition! We were all surprisingly keen. Of course we had a delicious hot BBQ breakfast afterwards. Bob could be recognised by his own, unique style of dive and camera gear. Although never having the latest models, he was always enthusiastic about his photography. Another of Bob’s skills was his cartoon drawings – many of the newsletters were adorned with his wonderful creations, as seen illustrated here.

10 Ye Olde WAUPS Competition Origins by Sue Morrison

The Annual Day Dive was the first The committee decided that an a painted model. He did this very competition organised within appropriate trophy to commemorate skilfully and the model remains in WAUPS, usually held on a charter this challenging event was needed. good shape to this day, almost 30 boat at Rottnest. The idea was to After much discussion the threadfin years old. An extra layer was made compete under similar conditions butterflyfish (on the original WAUPS for the wooden base recently to fit on the same day, to make the logo) was chosen to go on top of a the increasing number of winners’ photographic opportunities as equal wooden base. A model was required, names. and fair as possible. but no-one wanted to kill a fish for Many other WAUPS competitions this purpose. Strangely enough, It was derived from the AUF have developed since, including: a dead specimen turned up at an (Australian Underwater Federation) One-off dives aquarium shop. The owner was not photo competitions in which (e.g. Rockingham wrecks) willing to donate the specimen competitors had a list of 20 subjects however, he charged a hefty sum Trip competitions to photograph with slide film, each of $20 for it! Realising this was the (e.g. Busselton dives) subject having a certain score e.g. a only one we’d be able to get, the sum sealion was worth more points than was paid. Martin Thompson, a local Annual best image a sea star. However, points were artist, was contracted to make a cast Pixels awarded for photographic merits too! of the valuable dead fish & construct Portfolio (novice and open) It was ‘film fishing’ at its extreme, and stalking other competitors with good subjects, hiding rare subjects and even a little stirring up the sediment was rampant! Each competitor dived alone with a safety float – much entanglement of ropes and a real pest when swimming through caves. Eventually everyone realised it was best to hitch your float to a sturdy object near the boat & leave it there, retrieving it on the way back!! Time limits resulted in the hilarious sight of competitors grimly attempting a speedy free style back to the boat with bulky camera gear in tow. The WAUPS Day Dive competition rules attempted to avoid the cut- throat methods of AUF days. Only 3 topics were chosen as themes, such as ‘fish’, ‘scenery’ and ‘diver’. In this way you at least had several more shots for each topic (2 rolls of 36 image film), and you could experiment a bit more. Of course you had no idea how your images had turned out on the day – you had to wait about a week to get your film processed! It was incredible to see what different subjects and approaches the various competitors had at the same dive location, and this holds true to the Annual Competition held today. Photographers often see potential subjects in unique ways. For me this is what makes photography, especially underwater, so challenging and interesting.

11 30...and 120 Yearsby Patrick On! Baker Inaugural WAUPS President

Never, in a hundred and twenty (although I sometimes do have a Skin Diving in Australia, beautifully years of underwater photography, tinge of regret that I am unlikely published (at times somewhat have there been such stunning now to share the actuality of “being irregularly) and always with at photographs as we are seeing there”). least 50% colour. These magazines today, and of such a high technical I recently scrolled through the provided an outlet for diver- quality unimaginable to the earlier most recent (#76) of Peter Rowland’s photographers who were prepared to practitioners. From 1954, I was excellent on-line (and free) UWP purchase more ambitious, sometimes inspired by pioneer photographers Magazine. It featured such a very expensive, camera equipment, who had begun to reveal the cornucopia of new underwater just to contribute. The Hans Hass underwater world to an, until then, camera gear. I even felt a little Rollei Marine outfit was the item unsuspecting public. I owe my depressed at just how much gear was most aspired to, and the common career to these early influences, all available. (Having said that I wonder aim was just to see one’s work “in be they in my early years experiences if I should admit to now owning at print”. John Harding’s and Barry gained only from books, journals, least 200 cameras and 50, or more, Andrewartha’s magazines provided film and TV. underwater cameras and housings. that outlet. Barry’s Sport Diving in Australia and Dive Log continue Today, each time opening a Also, one of the largest collections to do this, a 45-year publishing magazine such as Ocean Realm, I of historic skin diving books in achievement. And John’s 1970’s consistently see images never seen Australia!). Fathom’s can be re-visited, on-line. before, images that amaze me with When I came to Australia, forty- Dear and respected friends, both. their subject matter, composition one years ago, most publishing - and technical prowess. And, in case books and magazines and newspapers In 1973 I brought with me to you wonder, I am still thrilled to be - was still in black-&-white. I was WA a couple of Petri 35mm SLR able to experience these images and delighted to discover the well- bodies (for separate monochrome the work of today’s photographers illustrated publications, Fathom and and colour photography) with three

Pat in 1973 with his then entire underwater camera outfit – a Nikonos 1 with super-wide canon 19mm and bulb flash. Photo: Erik Karlsen

12 Pat with his largest and smallest underwater cameras – a digital video GoPro and film-based Pentax 67 in Sea Tite housing. lenses, a complete Rollei Marine were just not available until then. For …and that answer was then, outfit plus one Nikonos Model 1, and me it meant I could get high quality and still is, “Use super-wide-angle a small tea chest of books. A set of photos, regardless of sea conditions; lenses”… except that, for the past four, close-up extension tubes and flash- professionally, a great advantage! digital, years the answer has been to bulb lighting completed the kits, go even wider, with the lens of choice In order to be able to successfully with the exception that…. being the 180º (or thereabouts) Full- photograph in, usually murky, North frame Fisheye. (Even those lenses are ….my Nikonos had the advantage European waters I had built my own far from new – pioneer underwater over every other Nikonos in Australia super-wide using a 19mm Canon photographers Flip Schulke, Walter in 1973, in that it was fitted with lens (angle of view 87ºx58º, a full Starck and Marc Jasinski were a super wide-angle lens, optically 10% wider than the superb, but not using and marketing such lenses for corrected for in-water use. This was available until 1974, UW-15mm Nikonos in the 1960s) at a time when such lenses were rare Nikonos lens). Until I dived at the worldwide; usually produced, one at mid-Atlantic Azores for four months In late 1983 Ann Storrie contacted a time, by one or other enthusiastic in 1972 I did not suspect just how local underwater personality tinkerer – I like the French word much better clear water photography John Butler and myself (specialist bricoleur. Offhand, I know of only a could be with a “super-wide”. In the Maritime Archaeology photographer handful of such people who modified Azores I discovered the secret to for the WA Museum) with the existing above-water super-wide lenses getting photographs that actually idea of forming a local underwater from the late 60s onward. Wide-angles showed the underwater world as we photographic association (I favoured suitable for underwater conversion divers imagined it to be… the acronym WASUP (as in Bugs

13 3 D Filming on the Orizaba – Photo: Pete Ewens

Bunny’s “Wa’s up, Doc”)but found views, shipwrecks and big marine life. Fox who wanted large format Dick Beilby had already claimed that The more ambitious photographers transparencies for his multi-screen one for his underwater photo school. began to house their high quality Great White Shark extravaganza. So WAUPS we became!) single lens reflex cameras, usually For most of the history of Nikon or Canon and fitted with In 1983 the era of home-made underwater photography film – wide angle and macro lenses, for underwater camera equipment was initially monochrome but by the underwater use. passing and throughout the world 1980’s almost exclusively colour – there was a growing number of American Ikelite and Oceanic was the medium we used. Even when manufacturers. Many people now companies were producing well digital cameras started to appear had Nikonos cameras which had made housings for 35mm SLR’s and several years passed before the progressed to the electronic Model the Japanese Sea&Sea had a growing quality and convenience of consumer 4a although the reliable mechanical range of innovative equipment cameras even approached that of Model 3 was generally preferred. for various budgets. In Australia film cameras. Few photographers Nikonos users now lit their subjects Sea Tite would make housings to envisaged the changes that digital with electronic flash (strobe) and order for almost any camera. These was about to bring. used close-up lenses and extension included the large format Hasselblad I experimented with a 2 megapixel for detailed marine life images. and Pentax 6x7; in my personal Nikon and wide angle supplementary The UW-Nikkor 15mm lens was collection I have one of the latter, lens in a self-made dome-ported becoming the lens of choice for originally commissioned by Rodney housing, but soon discarded it after discovering its slow response and inadequate definition. I do not think I got one successful photo! I started to use Photoshop to process and print images and did consider that Darkroom work was possibly going to be increasingly irrelevant. In 2003 I bought, and began to enjoy using, my first Digital SLR (a second-hand Fuji S1) but continued to use film cameras for all my underwater photography for several more years. The Fuji SLR was soon replaced by a Nikon D70… then the D80…D200…D90…D300… D7000…it seems never ending! And 19 80’s Aqutica housing for a Nikon F3 with motor drive and digital Aquatica housing for a Nikon D90 The Darkroom is a place of the past

14 Left Calypso/Nikor, middle Nikonos 2, right Nikonos 5 along with two types of Sekonic light meters. Photo Peter Nicholas for all photographers except the corrected lens - either the wonderful “retro” film users (whom I do admire Nikonos 15mm or super wide – I just do not want to be there Sea & Sea 13mm Fisheye. The myself). interchangeable lens Sony only covers On Sunday 2nd February 2014 66% area of 35mm film cameras but I joined members at Rockingham the optical quality of these lenses CBH Jetty for my first WAUPS dive in give the best quality digital images so many years. I already knew from the far available… and the new Sony A7 WAUPS website and the occasional will allow the use of “full-frame”. exhibition, publication, competition Conditions at the jetty meant that and lecture how good members’ photographers were concentrating on photography had become. I should the delightfully rich macro life. For not have been surprised to see the myself the dive was an opportunity quality of camera equipment in use; to do the opposite (my wife says I am Nauticam housings a contrary being) and was shooting were especially super wide-angle movie…in 3D! p r e v e l a n t . I use one Photo-stereoscopy has a history myself, the going back to 1839 and the first days Sony NEX-6 of photography, and has frequently model, fitted been “reinvented” since then. with a retro Today, digital TV viewing gives us N i k o n o s the best 3-D experience ever and water- nothing looks better in 3-D than the underwater world. I think Sunday’s jetty divers will be astounded when they get to see themselves in 3-D! And whilst we are in Retro Mode, digital photography in monochome (black-and-white) can look pretty Nikon F2 in Sea-Tite housing and home made flashes. good too! Photo Margy Nicholas

15 The years that were News Events Diver Members Guest speekers Competition Results Thirty Years UNDERWATER

Sunday 2014 AUSTRALIAN $1.20 incl GST WAUPS TIMELINE 1984 - 2013

2014 marks the beginning of a new era for the Western Australian Underwater Photographic Society inc. The digital age has well and truly arrived and more and more people are taking to the water with cameras in hand. Waups looks back at the first thirty years in this specal report.

Greg Pobar – Oil spills in WA & Hunt - Underwater housings & the Dusk to Dawn section with 1984 cleanup effort, Ingrid Little – UW slides, a weekend at Rottnest, a photo of green turtles coming Tues 31st Jan 1984 at the WA movies, and Clay Bryce - Marine a coral spawning dive at Hall’s ashore to lay eggs at Pandora Cay. Naturalists Club Hall, 63 Meriwa Biology. Bank, a social evening at the Tai Wah Chinese Restaurant, and St, Nedlands. This inaugural WAUPS first dive trip to Christmas party at Sue Owen’s 1987 meeting was organised by Ann Busselton was sidelined by house. Activities included Rottnest & Wayne Storrie, Patrick Baker, inclement sea conditions so Island with members staying in and Graham & Ingrid Little. all headed for bush tracks and the Sargeant’s mess in Kingston Over 100 people attended to wineries. 1986 watch Patrick’s presentation Barracks, and Busselton Jetty. WAUPS first successful dive titled “History Under The Sea” a Australian UW Federation Day dives at the Stragglers and was at Lake Leschanaultia in Marmion Marine Park. A car Photographic View. National Photographic December. Competition - Overall winner rally which ended up at Bickley The WAUPS emblem was Gerhard Saueracker, Runner-up Reservoir followed by bbq. designed by John Butler. 1985 Wayne Storrie. Formation of the Invertebrate Index co-ordinated by Ramon The year began with a fun dive WAUPS Perpetual Trophy Newmann. The aim to record at Woodman Point in January 1986 winner Ramon Newmann. as many invertebrate as possible followed by barbeque at Pat Wildlife Photographer of the on species south of the Abrolhos Baker’s house. Year Photography Competition Islands to Esperance. A sub WAUPS Inaugural - Patrick Baker won 1st Place in committee was formed with Rottnest Island Photographic Competition held in March, winner Gerhard Saueracker. WAUPS Perpetual Trophy 1985 winner Gerhard Saueracker. Various speakers like Charlie This began as a portfolio Snow – Hawaii video, Mike competition where members Collison - GreenPeace, Ann & submitted five slides taken over Wayne Storrie - Sipadan Island, the past twelve months. Patrick Baker - Pericle, Dick Beilby – Creatures colour contre- Speakers and other jour, Pip O’Dell – Advanced events included Patrick lighting techniques, Peter Baker - Introduction to UW Morrison – Index presentation, Photography, Joe Ellis & Dennis individual members being responsible for South Pacific Divers Australasian UW Marine Images held at Floreat Forum identifying and recording animals within Photographer of the Year Competition - Community Centre featuring audio visuals their designated groups. Brad Sergeant won a placing in the Novice and talks by Patrick Baker, Pip O’Dell, Heather Falconer and Eva Boogaard. Graham WAUPS Perpetual Trophy 1987 winner Section. Little was M.C. Attendance of over 200. Gerhard Saueracker. WAUPS Portfolio Competition - 1st Gerhard Saueracker, 2nd 1989 Ann Storrie, 3rd Ramon Newmann, Highest scoring slide - Ann Storrie. Dives trips to Hamelin Bay, Busselton Jetty, Mandurah, plus several local day A photographic competition was held dives. during the Busselton Jetty dive trip. Winner Ann Storrie. 1989 saw the completion of the WAUPS constitution and the Society became incorporated. WAUPS Perpetual Trophy 1988 1989 winner Ramon Newmann. Activities included dive trips to Horrocks & Port Gregory, Woodman Point, Busselton, WAUPS Portfolio Competition - 1st Mandurah, Albany, Rottnest, Point Péron, Gerhard Saueracker, 2nd Trevor Lundstrom, Marmion Marine Park, a North Mole dive 3rd equal Ramon Newmann & Pip O’Dell, followed by lunch at Cicerello’s, and a winter Highest scoring slide - Eva Boogaard, Novice walk arranged at Walyunga National Park. - Trevor Lundstrom. Marine images 1988 was WAUPS first South Pacific Divers Australasian UW major public presentation. Shows given by Photographer of the Year Competition – Ramon Newmann, Gerhard Saueracker and Novice section won by Ramon Newmann. Ann & Wayne Storrie. Guest speakers included Jiri Lochman WAUPS Perpetual Trophy 1988 winner Ramon Newmann. WAUPS Portfolio - Wildlife photography, Marine biology by Competition - 1st Ramon Newmann, 2nd Museum staff, Trevor Lundstrom - Judging, Gerhard Saueracker, 3rd Sue Owens, Highest Loisette Marsh - Dangerous marine animals, scoring slide - Ramon Newmann. and Greg Pobar - Whales & dolphins.

The Ninties – a time of change in the way divers took pictures

South Pacific Diver’s McKenna. Winning images to 1990 Australasian UW Photographer 1992 be added to their photographic Ann Storrie organised a of the Year Competition - Jack To start the year off in lieu of collection to help enhance their ‘Like it, lump it, or don’t go in’ Dryzmulski won the Novice the first monthly meet members exploration studies. Wrecks they competition at Woodman Point. section. did a night dive at North Mole were particularly interested in Winners - Pip O’Dell, Wayne followed by finger food. This were the Ulidia, Sepia, Lygnern Storrie and Trevor Lundstrom. was the day before Australia and Robatina. 1991 Day holiday. Marine Images at Wembley Guest speakers included Guest Speakers included Mike Speakers included Shane Home Base. David Budd - SUBAL/Nikon Osmand – Whales, Gerhard Reader & Trevor Lundstrom UW camera systems, Duncan Saueracker – lighting with wide- Other activities include – Macro photography, Eva Dodd from Maxwell Optical angle and Ramon Newmann - Ann Storrie’s Like it, Lump Boogaard - Audio visuals, Industries - Nikonos UW Macro photography it, or don’t go in it UW Pip O’Dell - Various uses of camera system, CALM - Whale photographic competition at South Pacific Divers negative film, and MAAWA watching. Woodman Point, Winter foray Australasian UW Photographer President Ian Warne - Wreck in Dryandra forest, dive trips WAUPS Perpetual Trophy of the Year Competition - Pip photography. to Port Gregory, Busselton, 1990 winner Jack Drzymulski. O’Dell 3rd place in Novice WAUPS Perpetual Trophy Rottnest Island and various section. WAUPS Portfolio 1992 winner Eva Boogaard. local sites with Christmas Competition - 1st prize, Novice WAUPS Perpetual Trophy Day Dive Competition dinner, a seafood smorgasbord & Highest Scoring Slide - Jack 1991 winner Margy Nicholas winners: 1st Wayne Storrie, 2nd at Fremantle Sailing Club. Dryzmulski, 2nd Ann Storrie, WAUPS Annual Heather, 3rd Pip O’Dell, Highest South Pacific Divers 3rd Brad Sergeant. These Scoring Slide - Wayne Storrie, images appeared in an issue of Photographic Competition Australasian UW Photographer Novice - Heather Falconer. of the Year Competition. In the Sportdiving magazine. - 1st Margy Nicholas, 2nd Pip O’Dell, 3rd Maritime Archaeological top-ten were Lance Adrian Day Dive Competition Gerhard Saueracker, Association of WA Wreck 3rd, Pip O’Dell 8th and Peter winners: 1st Pip O’Dell, 2nd Novice - Margy Nicholas, sponsored a photographic Nicholas 9th. Geoff Paynter Brad Sergeant, 3rd Ramon Highest Scoring Slide - Pip competition in memory of had 3rd highest scoring slide in Newmann. O’Dell. long-time member Richard the Novice section. the jetty as part of the society’s End of year dinner at Anna’s 1993 1994 bid to secure federal funding for Vietnamese Restaurant. The Guest speakers included Guest speakers included Dick an underwater observatory and excitement that week was Enrico’s Michael Morcombe - Nature Beilby - UW videos, Dennis eco-museum. restaurant just down the road Robinson - Fish farm at Fremantle, being held up that night. photography, Eve Parry - Audio Day Dive Competition and Geoff Paynter - Models. visual show with Eric Leighton winners: 1st Ann Storrie, 2nd Christmas at Albany - several talking about sound and Busselton Jetty Preservation Sue Morrison, 3rd Jenny Ough. WAUParians stayed at the producing Audio Visuals. Society setting up a museum Novice - Jenny Ough. Frenchmans Bay caravan park. at the start of the jetty so Geoff WAUPS Perpetual Trophy Dive trips to Busselton, Paynter organised some weekend 1993 - winner Lyn Adrian. A Carnac Island, Oceanfarms and dives so members could take 1997 change in format accepting entries Coral Bay. Ann Storrie won a photographs specifically for a A compilation of images from anywhere within Western week’s accommodation at Coral display in the Jettypoint Tower. taken during the ‘Snap a Snapper’ Australia, as well as WAUPS Bay with an image of Wayne photographic competition by members wherever they resided. WAUPS Perpetual Trophy coming around the side of Ayres WAUPS members appeared A write-up on this competition 1994 - winner Ian Ritchie. Rock. on the back of the Southern was published in Dive Log along Article on that portfolio WAUPS Perpetual Trophy Metropolitan Coastal Waters with photos of Patrick Baker competition appeared in the 1995 - winner Peter Nicholas Study (1991-1994) Summary presenting the prizes. Sportdiving magazine and an Report. edition of Dive Log. WAUPS Portfolio Competition – 1st Lyn Adrian, 2nd Pip Day Dive Competition 1996 Day Dive Competition O’Dell, 3rd Peter Nicholas. winners: 1st Gerhard Saueracker, Speakers included Duncan Winners: 1st Glen Cowans, 2nd Novice - Ian Ritchie. Highest 2nd Margy Nicholas, 3rd Peter Dodd – latest camera equipment, Brian Cleaver, 3rd Ann Storrie, scoring slide - Wayne Storrie. Nicholas. Jenny Ough - Rowley Shoals, Novice - Glen Cowans. Highest Peter & Margy Nicholas - Dusky scoring image - Ann Storrie. Day Dive Competition Sound, Bill Brogan – Kwajalein winners: 1st Pip O’Dell, 2nd 1995 South Pacific Divers Lagoon, Marshall Islands, and Australasian UW Photographer Margy Nicholas, 3rd Neil Speakers included Ann Storrie Pat Baker – WA wrecks. of the Year Competition - 3rd Treasure, Novice – Viv Matson- - Christmas & Cocos islands, place Peter Nicholas. Larkin. There was a change Dennis Robinson – Underwater Various local dives - to the format for this years Cinematography, and Viv Ammunition Jetty, Clean up WAUPS Perpetual Trophy competition by allowing Matson-Larkin - Sipadan Island. dive with AMCS, Ice breaker 1997 - winner Glen Cowans members to dive anywhere dive in October, followed in the Life membership for Sue within metropolitan area. Busselton Jetty Preservation next month with a Brutal Before Society photographic project Breakfast Dive at Woodmans Morrison passed. Bob’s Brutal Before Brekky involving WAUPS appeared in Point with brunch at Ammunition Many WAUPS members Photographic Competition – 1st the Busselton-Margaret Times. A Jetty, and Pre-Christmas dive at popped down to help the HMAS Sue Morrison, Best pylon shot - photographic record of the corals Carnac Island. Swan working bee clear and clean Sue Morrison. and other marine life beneath Technical workshop – Wayne the vessel prior to her sinking on Storrie servicing a Nikonos the 14th of December. camera with Glen Cowans on There were various activities how to frame prints. like Abrolhos trip aboard Force No Portfolio Competition Five, Hamelin Bay, Mindarie this year, will run one next year if Keys, Busselton, and Ice breaker there is enough interest. dive at Carnac Island. Fundraising bbq at Sue & Pete Morrison’s. WAUPS Perpetual Trophy 1996 - winner Ann Storrie. WAUPS Photo Gallery images to be used as our basis for display Day Dive Competition and available to any school or winners: 1st Ann Storrie, 2nd other institution that may wish Sue Morrison, 3rd Bill Brogan, to borrow it for educational Novice - Bill Brogan. purposes. This year exhibited at Underwater World, Ocean Care Day Dive Competition of the Year Competition. Open Coral Bay Ningaloo reef book Day at City Beach and during Sea winners: 1st Ann Storrie, 2nd section 1st Peter Nicholas, soon to be released. WAUPS Week at the WA Museum. Gary Jakovich, 3rd Paul Jelley. Novice – 1st Glen Cowans, members were represented with Novice - Graham Merrett. and Creative section – Peter 86 images. CALM Book on Ningaloo Highest scoring image - Ann Nicholas. Reef and Coral Bay will be written Storrie by Ann Storrie & Sue Morrison. Pinnacles Full Moon 1999 Best of the Swan Photographic workshop with Nick CALM will fund the project and Guest speakers included Competition winners - 1st Glen Djordjevic. pay for photos. Duncan Dodd - Closeups Cowans, 2nd Ann Storrie, 3rd GWN Jurien Marine Expo & Nikon products, Geordie Garry Jakovich. 1998 & Blessing of the Fleet Artwork Claplin – Manado, and South Pacific Divers Competition - winner Peter Denis Beros from AMSC – Guest speakers included Australasian UW Photographer Nicholas. Seadragons,. Stefan Eberhard – Cave diving Cocklebiddy, Duncan Dodd - Various outings to HMAS Wrecks around the Rockingham Swan & Busselton Jetty, area, Pat Baker - Lighting/strobe snorkel with the seals around use, Peter Morrison - Biological Little Island, Jurien Bay monitoring around HMAS Swan aboard Aqua Terra, Coral Bay, wreck site. Mindarie Keys day dive. Various outings to HMAS WAUPS Perpetual Trophy Swan & Busselton Jetty, Esperance 1999 - winner Glen Cowans and Abrolhos Islands, Mindarie, Logue Brook Dam trip at Woodman Point, Wreck of the Logue Brook Dam Caravan Orizaba, the 5-fathom bank, and Park. Dryandra Varmint Hunting. Began annual end of year WAUPS Perpetual Trophy Christmas dinners at the 1998 winner Ann Storrie Indian Ocean Hotel.

a New Millennium and Digital becomes the new medium

2001 Guest speakers included Peter Morrison - The Swan Story, and Roger Leithbridge - Marine Biology. WAUPS Perpetual Trophy 2001 - winner Glen Cowans Bunbury Aquatic Shoot November 2001 organised by Peter Buzzacott of Reef Diving Bunbury Yamaha. Each contestant picked up pre-marked rolls of print film. Once dives over films dropped off to the camera shop for overnight processing. Next day entrants chose their best – up to two images in each of the six categories. 2002 Some WAUPS members volunteered WAUPS hosted the event at the Indian their time as field assistants and 2000 Ocean Hotel. The winners were - 1st Ann accompanied Leslie Newman and Andrew To promote the value of the Cottesloe Storrie, 2nd Glen Cowans, 3rd Judy Rule. Flowers in a flatworm and nudibranch hunt at Coral Bay. Later on the Book Marine reef system public support was sought A selection of the images were displayed in the Cottesloe Council offices. Flatworms, The World of Polyclads went in for a Fish Habitat Protection Area by the to print with one of the newly discovered Cottesloe Marine Preservation Society. WAUPS Perpetual Trophy 2000 - winner Coral Bay flatworms being named after Bill They sponsored the Cottesloe Beach Ann Storrie Brogan Pseudobiceros brogani. Photographic Competition which WAUPS End of year Christmas dinner at Indian WAUPS Perpetual Trophy 2002 winner member Rowley Goonan organised. Ocean Hotel. Glen Cowans Clean-Up Australia Day dive Viv Matson-Larkin, 3rd Jenny 2003 2007 at Ammunition Jetty. Ough, Novice - Tammy Gibbs, Release of the Book, Beneath Annual Day Dive Highest scoring image - Tammy Special presentation by the Busselton Jetty, published Competition did not go ahead Gibbs. Martin Edge on lighting by CALM was co-authored due to cancellations - 1st cause techniques at Telethon Institute The WAUPS Novice by Peter and Sue Morrison bad sea conditions, 2nd engine for Child Health Research. Portfolio Competition began in and Ann Storrie. Ann and Sue failure. November, won by Emma Hicks. have collaborated on two other Best image of the Year 2008 Clean-up Australia Day dive This competition sponsored by books for the department The winner Shannon Conway. at Ammunition Jetty. Perth Scuba. Marine Life of Ningaloo Reef In celebration of the and Coral Bay, and Wonders of Best image of the Year 2007 Best image of the Year 2009 International Year of the Reef Western Waters. winner Shannon Conway. winner Viv Matson-Larkin. WAUPS had a photographic WAUPS Perpetual Trophy Some members participated exhibition at the Rottnest Island A fancy dress competition 2003 - joint winners Jenny Ough in the Oceania Seagrass Research Salt Gallery. held during the AGM won by & Ann Storrie & Rehabilitation Planting in Viv Matson-Larkin in her Occy Cockburn Sound with Murdoch costume. University. 2009 WAUPS Perpetual Trophy 2004 WAUPS joined forces with Upclose and Spineless 2009 winner Ann Storrie WAUPS Perpetual Trophy the Underwater Explorers Club Photographic Competition – 2004 winner David Cook. and a few other non-affiliated Maryann Evett’s exhibition Open Category winner Jenny divers to clean up around on display at City Beach. WAUPS 20th Anniversary Ough. Ammunition Jetty. at Indian Ocean Hotel. Jurien Some members went to Bay-Leeman dive trip. WAMS Exploratory dive out the back Lancelin and participated in a exhibition. Xmas in July party at 2008 of Rottnest Island originally to Fish Habitat Protection Area Owen Blockley’s. Xmas dive & Foto Freo – Sealife in check out one of the FADs. As Survey organised by Barbara bbq picnic at Bicton Baths. Sequence display at Naturaliste that had drifted away ended up Green from DEC. These images Marine Discovery Centre for a diving off the west-end with the became part of a Marine 2005 couple of months. nurse sharks instead. Photographic Reference Library. WAUPS Perpetual Trophy Day Dive Competition WAUPS Christmas BBQ at Ammo Jetty cleanup dive 2008 winner Jenny Ough winners: 1st Ann Storrie, 2nd the Cockburn Powerboat Club. for Dive Into Earth Day. Divers - Harriet Davie, Viv, Danny, Jenny, with support crew Sue, Jack and Bess. 2010 WAUPS Perpetual Trophy Guest speakers - Ben from Team Digital - 2005 winner Ann Storrie. Post-production techniques, James Gray - High OZTek Australasian UW Dynamic Range Photography Techniques, Peter Photographic Competition Best Mooney from Scubapix - latest in Photographic Novice Wreck - 1st Viv Matson- equipment, Marketing and pricing your images Larkin. 3rd equal Viv Matson- by the twin brothers Regnard from Tungsten, Larkin & Robbert Westerdyke. Patrick Baker - 3D underwater imagery, Jill St Best Novice Open - Special John from the Wilderness Society - the Marine Mention Viv Matson-Larkin. Life of the South West, Cave diving by Geoff Paynter and Chris Holman, Kingsley Klau from Diver Research Project by Dr Alex Pullen from Photo Coffee - about WAPF. 2006 the Hyperbaric Unit. Many members who dive WAUPS Open Portfolio Competition 2010 with nitrox also participated in a Nitrox Study WAUPS Perpetual Trophy winner Mick Tait. with Dr Fiona Sharp at the Fremantle Hyberbaric 2006 winner Viv Matson-Larkin Foto Freo Fringe event – Artificial Reefs: Centre. Dragon Search comes Oases for marine life? display at Naturaliste to WA. Request for divers Nomination of Wayne Storrie as a Life and beachcombers to report Marine Discovery Centre for three months. Member of WAUPS. This gallery of images later went on display for sightings of Leafy and Weedy WAUPS Perpetual Trophy 2010 - winner a few months at the Gravity Discovery Centre in Seadragons. Tammy Gibbs Gingin. Our 1st FotoFreo exhibition - Best image of the Year 2010 winner Chris Day Dive Competition winners: 1st Tammy Kaleidoscope of Colour. Holman. Gibbs, 2nd Jenny Ough, 3rd Viv Matson-Larkin, Novice - Karl Fehlauer, Highest scoring image - WAUPS Novice Portfolio Competition 2010 Tammy Gibbs. winner Ian Robertson sponsored by Scuba Imports Danny Messom’s photographic exhibition on display in Rockingham. Eva Boogaard was one of the artists featured in the Art N Soul Exhibition at the Wanneroo Some members participated in a Recreational Library and Cultural Centre. Diver Survey as part of a post graduate study at Charles Sturt University. There was also a WAUPS end of year shore dive at CBH Grain questionnaire as part of the Fremantle Hospital Terminal followed by BBQ. Tammy Gibbs came 1st in Underwater Festival 2012 Myburgh. 2nd Ultra Short video 2011 the Botanical section of the Shootout. Many member’s images section Viv Matson-Larkin. Guest speakers Wayne & Pam ANZANG Nature Photography made the Top 100. Perth Scuba UW Festival Osborne - Whales, Alan Pearce Competition. 1st Temperate Waters category Photographic Competition: Local - Marine life in the Leeuwin Underwater Festival 2011 Brad Pryde, 2nd Still Camera category - 1st Pam Sutton, 2nd Current, Robyn Benken from - Shootout & Fringe Events Video section Maryann Evetts. Chandy de Wit, 3rd Jenny Ough. Cottesloe Coastcare Association Competition ran for 10 days. International category – 1st Yuri - Weedy Seadragons, Jon Davison Perth Scuba UW Festival Komodo Island ‘Diving 4 Verbaan, 2nd Sue Myburgh. from Eye in the Sky Productions Photographic Competition: 1st Video category – 1st Viv Matson- - Aerial Photography, Dr Kerry Images’ workshop and liveaboard Brad Pryde , 2nd Karl Fehlauer, trip with Shannon Conway. Larkin, 2nd Pam Sutton. WAUPS Trayler from Swan River Trust - 3rd Prize Viv Matson-Larkin. Open Portfolio Competition 2013 The Swan & Canning Rivers. HMAS Perth 10 Year Various workshops held at winner Marjon Phur. this fringe event including the Shannon Conway’s exhibition Anniversary Dive trip staying at Cruise-Inn. display of images from WAUPS WAUPS Perpetual Trophy - An Abstract Ocean on display Cottesloe to Cockburn collection. 2013 - winner Viv Matson-Larkin at the Naturaliste Marine Overall winner of the 2011 Discovery Centre at Hillarys. PIXELS competition Viv Matson- Overall winner of the 2012 Day Dive Competition Larkin. winners: Overall winner Viv WAUPS Perpetual Trophy PIXELS competition Daniel Lloyd. Matson-Larkin, Colour category 2011 winner Tammy Gibbs WAUPS end of year shore dive winner Viv Matson-Larkin, with at Robb Jetty followed by BBQ. Participated in Project Aware’s WAUPS end of year shore dive runner-up Shannon Earnshaw. Dive Against Debris Clean-Up at Ammunition Jetty. Nudi category winner Danny Dive with Perth Scuba and Dive, 2012 Messom, with runner-up Amanda Blanksby. Portrait category Surf & Ski at Fremantle Fishing Guest speakers included Jorg 2013 winner Eleanor Hodgson, with Boat Harbour. Imberger from Centre for Water Best Image for the Year 2013 runner-up Viv Matson-Larkin. WAUPS Open Portfolio Research - Status of the Swan & winner Marjon Phur Reef winner Amanda Blanksby, Competition 2011 winner Jenny Canning River, Alex Cearns of In April we visited the WA with runner-up Fran O’Dwyer. Ough. Houndstooth Studio - Wildlife Police Divers Division in North Novice winner Ian Griffiths, with Photography, Dylan Fox - 365 Day Photography Project Fremantle. runner-up Fran O’Dwyer. Landscape Photography, Glenn which ran from 10/10/10 to Moore - Seahorses, Gary Jackson Coastal Water Dive in Bunbury WAUPS Novice Portfolio 09/10/11. Following the same running an Abrolhos trip with Competition 2013 winner Sue idea as Project 365, the challenge from Fisheries – REDMAP, Peter Shannon Conway. In April he gave Myburgh. was to take one picture a day Buzzacott - Scuba Diving Science, a presentation on negative space. documenting one year of your Critique night by WAPF judges, Other activities including life. At the end each participant Camera Electronics & Perth WAPF event at Merredin Sealion trip with Jurien Charters, submitted an image per month Scuba - part of Gear Lust and with an interclub photographic Lembeh Strait, Manado UW Photography Tour with Shannon in a WAUPS Show & Tell at the Envy night, and Russell Ord - competition, one of which is new Conway, October monthly meet. Surf Photography, - an Underwater Category, with Best image of the Year 2011 Clean-up dive at Ammunition another WAPF workshop held at Guest Speakers included winner Joey Paul. Jetty with the Underwater Busselton (Steve Parish & Ann Clay Bryce - Slimy Encounters, Explorers Club. Storrie) and Lake Ballard. Eleanor Callum from Dolphin Scuba The WAUPS Novice Portfolio Hodgson won first prize in the Welshpool - Rebreathers, Drysuits Competition for 2011 winner WAUPS Open Portfolio WAPF photographic competition & Bikini Atoll, Perth Scuba - Henrique Kwong. Competition 2012 winner Ian held in Busselton. Fluorescent UW Photography Robertson. and Dr Lisa Kirkendale – 3rd event - FotoFreo - WAPF Click West Underwater Bivalves. collection of images with the WAUPS Perpetual Trophy Competition winners: 2nd theme ‘Artifical Reefs: oases for 2012 winner Tammy Gibbs Michelle Mann, 3rd Tammy Overall winner of the 2013 marine life?’ The exhibition was PIXELS competition Chris Day Dive Competition Gibbs. 20 of the shortlisted images up for another two months for displayed at the event in Merriden, Holman. school activities, Seaweek, and winners: 1st Tammy Gibbs, 2nd then at Camera Electronics. WAUPS end of year shore dive this collection of images then Sue Morrison, 3rd Maryann at Robb Jetty followed by BBQ. went on display for general Evetts, Novice - Eleanor Hodgson. Underwater Festival 2013 public education with Fisheries. Highest scoring image - Viv Shootout ran for a month. Many Matson-Larkin. member’s images made the Top 2014 This collection of images then 100. went on display at the Gavity Best image of the Year 2012 Guest speaker Liam Allen, Centre near Gingin for a couple winner Shannon Conway. 1st Sex category Daniel Lloyd. 2013 Tech Diver of the Year with 1st Coral Triangle category a presentation on the Swedish of months. WAUPS Novice Portfolio Tammy Gibbs. 1st Macro & battle ship ‘Mars The Magnificent’ Day Dive Competition Competition 2012 winner Marjon Supermacro category Tammy winners: 1st Tammy Gibbs, Phur. Gibbs. 1st & 2nd Freshwater New meeting place - Drabble 2nd Maryann Evetts, 3rd Chris House, on the corner of Stirling REDMAP - ‘Range Extension category Pam Sutton. 2nd Holman, Highest scoring image Highway and Webster Street. Database Mapping Project’. The Behaviour category Sue Myburgh. Eva Boogaard. call has gone out to help document 2nd Issue category Tammy Gibbs. WAUPS 30TH Anniversary WAUPS became affiliated what fish and other marine species 2nd Nudis category Yuri Verbaan. Dive at Kwinana Grain Terminal with the WAPF. are on the move in WA waters. 2nd Neville Coleman Award Sue followed by bbq. PixelS winners July to December

September – Inches below the surface Emma Holman October – Abstract Yuri Verbaan

August – Rays Joey Pool

22 The second half of the year has equally shown some nice images in the monthly PixelS theme contest, as judged by WAUPS members.

PixelS December – Most Awesomest Screw Up winners Peter Nicholas and Mick Lee November – My favourite Emma Holman

November – My favourite Jenny Ough July – Light and dark Jenny Ough

November – My favourite Amanda Blanksby

23 PIXELS 2013 Overall Winner Chris Holman The overall winner for PIXELS 2013 was Chris Holman. Chris got the year off to a great start with a win in the JETTIES theme and then submitted shots every month to take out the overall prize.

A HUGE thanks to Mike Ball Dive Expeditions who sponsored the 2013 PIXELS competition with an amazing prize – a 3 night/12 dive Fly Dive Cod Hole expedition.

24 25 Creature Feature

The Australian Sea Lion Neophoca cinerea (Péron, 1816) by Ann Storrie and Sue Morrison cinerea, which is the only Pinniped endemic to Australia (the fur seals originated elsewhere). Its breeding range is between the Houtman Abrolhos Islands in Western Australia and the Pages Islands, just east of Kangaroo Island in South Australia. It previously occurred in Bass Strait, but was exterminated by sealers in the 19th century. It mainly inhabits offshore islands but also a few very remote parts of the mainland coast. Male sea lions can weigh up to 250 kg, but females are significantly smaller, only reaching 100 kg in weight. They live on average for 8 to 9 years with a maximum of about 12 years. Females mature at around 4 to 5 years. In denser colonies the males have harems of a few females. Both sexes are strongly territorial and will show aggression towards adults from outside the harem, and even towards stray pups (and The Australian Sea Lion is one of the a thinner coat of fur. Examples of true divers!). They have a unique breeding most endearing marine mammals seals are the Southern Elephant Seal, cycle of 17.5 months, with a pupping encountered on the south and western the Leopard Seal and the Crab Eater season that can be spread over 5 to 7 coasts of Australia. Sadly it is one of Seal, none of which inhabit the Western months. A strong bond forms the rarest species of sea lion in the Australian coast although strandings between the mother and world. occasionally occur, particularly of the pup that generally lasts from 15 So is our Australian sea lion a seal, a Leopard Seal. The sea lions and fur to 18 sea lion or fur seal? All seals, sea lions, seals primarily use their fore limbs for fur seals and walruses belong to the swimming underwater, whereas the order Pinnipedia, meaning ‘fin-footed’, seals and walrus use their hind limbs of which there are 33 species world more. wide. These are divided up into three families, Otariidae (eared sea lions To add to the confusion of names, and fur seals), Phocidae (earless true there is also an Australian fur seal. This seals) and the Odobenidae (only the species, however, does not occur on walrus). As the family name indicates, our Western Australian coast, but only the Australian sea lion is actually a around Bass Strait and adjacent coastal kind of fur seal which has a visible ear waters of Tasmania and southern New flap, or pinna, flexible hind limbs and South Wales. We do, however, have the a thick coat of fur. The sea lions, fur New Zealand fur seal which occurs on seals and walrus have hind limbs that the southern coast of Western Australia can be flexed under the body and used and in South Australia. as hind limbs on land. True seals lack an external ear, cannot flex their hind Now, back to the Australian Sea Lion limbs for locomotion on land and have that is scientifically known as Neophoca

26 months, after which time the pups are of the Environment website. 2014. weaned. This period can be longer if no pup is conceived the following season. Ten days after giving birth, the females begin the pattern of foraging at sea for up to two days, then spending about one and a half days feeding the pup. This continues until the pup is weaned. Pup mortality is fairly high and has been estimated to be 40-50% in the first two years. This is likely to be affected by food availability and frequency of attacks by males. The sea lions’ diet consists of a variety of fish, rock lobsters and squid found in surface waters. Nursing females have been found to forage down to a maximum of 150 m, only 20 to 30 km offshore, but males are thought to go slightly deeper and travel further. They do not dive as deep, or stay submerged as long as true seals. Females usually remain near their birth site, but males can travel further afield. Males from bachelor colonies near Perth are known to migrate up to 280 km north to breeding colonies at Jurien. There are estimated to be between approximately 10,000 and 12,500 Australian Sea Lions, with about 30% of the population in WA and 70% in South Australia. The population has remained fairly stable for several years, but there is evidence of a slow population decline, especially in the smaller colonies. Major threats to this species include human disturbance (too much tourism can result in animals leaving sites), entrapment in fishing gear, white shark predation (attracted near colonies for diving tourism), epidemics, climate change and pollution. Elimination of gill net fishing in South Australia is helping to alleviate this problem. It is protected in Western Australia and South Australia, and listed as endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Let us hope this wonderful mammal survives long into the future! References: Storrie, A. 1989. Scuba Diver Dec 1988-Jan 1989, p. 13-15. Australian Government Department

27 Not an ugly duckling

WAUPS involvement in the preparation of the former HMAS Swan by Geoff Paynter

In late 1996, the then Minister for accommodation for homeless people, their free time to be part of what was Tourism Norman Moore, announced and if rumours are to be believed, to become one of Australia’s iconic that the Geographe Bay Artificial there was one submission for a dive sites. She was prepared on a Reef Society had won the right floating brothel! “shoe string” budget, the final figure the prepare and scuttle the former The Geographe Bay Artificial Reef to prepare and scuttle her was just HMAS Swan as a dive wreck off Society took possession of Swan just under $325,000! A far cry from the Meelup in our State’s South West. before Christmas of 1996. Work to budgets of more recent dive wreck projects! This announcement followed prepare her for scuttling began in months of lobbying and research earnest on Saturday 4th of January As a club, WAUPS organised many by groups from Busselton and 1997 and she was scuttled eleven and weekends to come down and help out Rockingham, as well as other parties a half months later on the 14th of and collectively, WAUPS members that wanted to utilise Swan for December 1997. made a significant contribution to the other uses. Some of the alternative All of the work to prepare Swan for preparation of Swan for her eventual ideas proposed at the time included her scuttling was done by volunteers. scuttling. a floating restaurant, a museum, People from all walks of life gave up WAUPS involvement with the Swan did not end with her scuttling. Peter and Sue Morrison, ably assisted by Jenny Ough and others, embarked on a 5 year biological study of Swan as an artificial reef. The results of which are still used as a resource to this day. Swan was an immediate success. Visitor numbers far exceeded all expectations and it wasn’t long before communities from all around Australia were lobbying governments for their own “prepared dive wreck”. Swan has now become a successful artificial reef and remains one of Australia’s iconic dive sites. WAUPS can rightly, and proudly, lay claim to being actively involved in helping to make Swan the success she is.

28 29 PARTING SHOT by Maryann Evetts

s s s

s Ammo Jettys January 2014

It is amazing how different the There are usually a number of heavily 15 minutes. The male sat stoically on jetties along the Perth coast line pregnant males which we would spend a piece of telesto coral, ignoring our are. The Ammo and BHP have lotsa the better part of two hours watching, lights and flashes until he started to seahorses, but the Grain Terminal to no avail, and we would return the twitch…. and twitch and writhe. Then and Robb Jetty have very few. next night to find they had dropped with a violent forward contraction an WAUPS members frequent these their bundle (probably minutes after explosion of tiny seahorse snowflakes jetties most weekends in the summer we had left) and disappeared higher shot up into the water column and and even in the winter (Brrr). up the pylons. rained down on us. This occurred 6 or 7 times and then it was all over. Most Seahorses have been abundant at Despite these disappointments we of these perfectly formed babies will the Ammo Jetty over the last couple of have been otherwise rewarded with end up as fodder for all the hungry years. Their numbers have increased sightings of bubble shells, dumpling mouths waiting patiently, but with with the growth of the telesto coral squid, blue ringed octopus, telesto luck the telesto coral will hide some of on the pylons. Viv Matson-Larkin, nudis, rice bubble nudis, bull rays, and the babies, so the cycle can continue. Jenny Ough and I have been smitten the occasional sea lion and dolphin with seahorse birthing fever and over which appear out of the gloom to What an amazing privilege to be the holiday season we spent many scare the bejeesus out of us. Patience able to witness such a wonderful evenings at the Ammo Jetty watching is rewarded occasionally and Jenny sight, and as most women have the many pregnant males and their and I tag-teamed photographing this endorsed “Shame it doesn’t happen female companions. male giving birth over a period of 10- with humans!!” s 30 Sponsors We sincerely thank all of the Tulamben Wreck Divers Dolphin Scuba sponsors who have supported generously supported our generously supported the WAUPS over the years. 2011 PIXELS monthly theme 2012 and 2013 Rotto day dive Please remember the WAUPS competition. competition. sponsors below when you are thinking of your next purchase.

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions generously supporting our 2013 PIXELS monthly theme Scubapix Perth Diving Academy competition. generously provides prizes for generously supported the 2013 competitions and discounts for Rotto day dive competition members.

Perth Scuba generously provides prizes for Fitzgerald Photo Imaging competitions and discounts for generously provides prizes for Scuba Symphony members (with your current competitions and discounts for generously supported the 2012 membership card). members (with your current Rotto day dive competition membership card).

Scuba Imports/Dive Tub Doug Sloss from Ocean generously provides prizes for Breeze Photos Tweed Heads Magic Productions competitions and discounts for generously provides prizes for generously supported our 2012 members (with your current competitions and discounts for Novice Portfolio competition. membership card). members. Just email Ross at [email protected] and let him know you’re a WAUPS member. UWdigitalcamera.com in Japan generously supported the 2012 Rotto day dive Dolphin Dive Fremantle competition. provides a reduced rate for our Rottnest day dive and discounts for members with Sea Dragon Promo Products your current membership card. South West Rocks Dive Discounts for members with Centre your current membership card. generously supported our 2012 PIXELS monthly theme competition. Lotterywest provided a grant to enable us to purchase our AV equipment.

31 WESTERN AUSTRALIAN UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY INC. [email protected]

The Western Australian Underwater Photographic Society (WAUPS) is a non-profit organisation, which was established in January 1984. The aims of the Society are:

To promote an improvement of underwater photography amongst its n members. n To promote underwater photography in the community.

To encourage an understanding and preservation of the marine environment. n To promote an exchange of skills and ideas from within the society and from n external bodies. n To have fun and enjoy socialising, diving and photography.

WAUPS holds monthly meetings which include guest presenters on a range of photography and diving topics along with a digital show-and-tell of images from members.

We hold an annual Rottnest day dive shootout, a monthly themed photo competition called PIXELS, monthly photo dives, annual portfolio and image of the year competitions and a range of trips and social events during the year.

WAUPS members also get membership to the WA Photographic Federation and can participate in their events and trips.

Anyone interested in underwater photography is welcome any time including all levels of experience.

WAUPS meetings are conducted at 7:30pm on the FOURTH TUESDAY of every month.

Find us on Facebook www.waups.org.au