General News
8 August, 2025
A spotlight on the simple
A CAMPERDOWN photographer is putting a spotlight on the simple things the Corangamite Shire has to offer at this month’s exhibition at the Camperdown Courthouse.
Wayne Smith will be displaying his photographs in an exhibition titled ‘Corangamite in Focus: Simple Things Hidden in Plain Sight’, showcasing a variety of sites within the shire.
“They’re just simple things – a single tree with an interesting shape, something in the fog, a boat on Lake Bullen Merri in the fog – just minimalist-type things that people probably just drive straight past,” he said.
“I see these beautiful trees around and I thought I’d photograph them.
“There are quite a few photos out at the Wiridgil Hills and out at Purrumbete.
“There are also some cows – I know people around here like cows.”
Mr Smith has been into photography for close to 60 years, having spent 40 years working in wedding and portrait photography.
He said he made the decision to move onto landscape photographs once he got out of the industry.
“Now I’ve retired to Camperdown, I like to drive around the rural areas looking for trees and anything simple,” he said.
“I just enjoy taking photos of that and I like printing my photos.
“It’s great to be able to exhibit them and I hope people like them.”
Mr Smith said he hoped his exhibition made people aware of the beauty of the region.
“When I came here, the thing that got me was the stone walls and the Twelve Apostles down the Great Ocean Road – I’ve since discovered there are a lot of other little things,” he said.
“That’s why I called it ‘Simple Things Hidden in Plain Sight’ – there’s all these beautiful trees, windmills and the mount, which are there but we just don’t see them.
“I just hope people might get a bit of an idea of what’s on offer in the Corangamite Shire.
“There’s lots of beautiful little spots around here – I just hope people appreciate some of the beauty within the shire that isn’t just the big things.”
Mr Smith extended his gratitude to the Camperdown Courthouse for providing an exhibition space for local artists.
“I think it’s great,” he said.
“I think there’s nowhere else in Camperdown to exhibit, so I think it’s fantastic the Courthouse Information Centre has made this space available for local artists, so I appreciate the opportunity to hang my work here and put it on public display.”
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