Remembering: Yvonne Joyce Cave MNZM Hon FPSNZ FPSNZ

Vonnie Cave’s first camera was given to her by her Yvonne Joyce (Vonnie) Cave MNZM Hon FPSNZ FPSNZIn Memoriam mother ̶ to take photos of her and Harry’s fast-growing sons. That was the beginning of a lifetime love of the art and challenges of photography and enjoyment of the friendships made through it. Vonnie and her mother joined the W(h)anganui Camera Club in 1962. It was a lively club of longstanding, established in 1894 with only a short recess during wartime. It was the time of black and white film photography, developed and printed in converted washhouses. Competition in the club was rife with others like Dr Bob Anderson, Arthur Bates and Ken Newton among the keenest top photographers. She was a member for nearly 60 years, holding all major positions, including Patron, and with her name on most of the Club trophies – several times. She was awarded Hon FPSNZ in recognition of her contribution to PSNZ and photography. In 1963 Vonnie joined PSNZ and within six years was on Council as Director of Colour Circles and later of Overseas Tours, Panel Judges (Open and Natural History) and Travel Aides. Vonnie served terms on the Judges Panel and Honours Board and was a trustee of the Bowron Foundation. She was elected PSNZ President in 1978 and in 2009, after the passing of Geoff Moon, she accepted the office of Patron. As John Boyd said at her memorial service, ‘She graced the position with dignity, charm and eloquence, and I think it is as much for her loveliness as a person as for her great photographic talent that Vonnie Cave will be fondly remembered by her photographic family.’ Vonnie loved challenges ̶ to have work selected for the National Exhibition, and then to win it; to gain ARPS and then APSNZ and FPSNZ, and try innovative ideas ahead of her time. Older PSNZ members may remember her landscape of an Aberfeldy hill, with the imported tree – done so effectively, or the Sound Slide “The Unicorn”, which the selectors at first refused to accept as an entry in the national SS Competition as they thought, it was “not photography”. That is, until an indignant Vonnie explained what she

had innovatively done. It was certainly photography – Vonnie style. Her images stretched across all genres – landscapes, portraits, table tops, photojournalism, creative and more. She moved from black and white, to slide transparencies and audiovisuals to digital and DVDs with typical determination and success. Vonnie aimed high in all that she did, not for the glory but for her own satisfaction. She won National and International Salons. She was awarded the PSNZ Shirley Peverill Award for Photojournalism. Three prints and nine slides of Vonnie’s were selected for the PSNZ Permanent Collection.

Like other PSNZ photographers, she was keen to share her knowledge and skills. She made and presented many illustrated PSNZ lectures and tutorials, many of which became part of the PSNZ Lecture Services to Clubs. She was also a very active and astute member of Council, not afraid to give her opinion when she felt things were not being done well. She helped organise many conventions and travelled and led tour groups overseas. She was a very capable organiser and a generous hostess. Vonnie combined her photography with other hobbies at which she was equally proficient. She and Harry were members of the Smallbore Riffle Club, where they met, and she was a top NZ shooter. She was an avid and top golfer.

Vonnie and Harry bred camellias and won top national awards. Her camellia, succulent and garden images featured in books and national award-winning publications that she sometimes illustrated and edited. For more than a year, she travelled all over New Zealand to obtain a complete database of native plants in flower. The result was the New Zealand award-winning “The Gardener’s Encyclopaedia of New Zealand Native Plants”. Her photography was used to promote the Bason Botanic Gardens, of which she was a very active supporter.

Vonnie will be sadly missed by her sons Peter, Bruce and families, and the many friends she made through her varied interests.

Beverley Sinclair