In 2004 the ‘Screwball Award’ was introduced by Ray Bradford. He ‘borrowed’ the idea after seeing it at a VAPS convention.
He thought it was a great concept, as it put fun back into photography, particularly enabling club members to have a laugh at themselves.
Alas, with competitions, there are rules. So Ray made the following rules: the photo had to be a print (16 x 20 inches) taken on a club outing during the current year, and have a humorous slogan attached.
Ray was the sole judge, and also made the 1st trophy (wooden egg cup with a cricket ball attached). Jan Burt won the first ‘Screwball’ award. Sadly this competition ceased a few years later, probably due to the cost of the large print.
In 2010 Ray, approached the committee regarding resurrecting the competition, and they agreed. The format was changed to small prints (5 x 7 inches) with the members to judge, and it would be held on the same night as the Roy Porter Trophy. As previously mentioned, the image must be taken during the current year, it is optional to have a humorous slogan attached.
The winner for 2011 was Joy Nathan. Ray acknowledges the Browns for donating 2011’s Platypus Cricket Ball for the trophy.