Passion for photography
Former Gazette photographer Bert Rance died on March 29, aged 94.
Bert was well known in the Warragul and wider community during his time as a photographer with the Warragul and Drouin Gazette, taking photographs at many community, social and sporting events around the district over a number of years.
Bert was born in Fulham, England on August 18, 1929.
He joined the Royal Air Force in the motor pool at the Hallingdon base. It was here that he met his future wife Doreen, declaring to a mate he would marry that young lady one day.
They met again at a dance in 1952 and clicked straight away. Six months later they married in a registry office on April 4, 1953.
After marrying, Bert and Doreen left the air force. They moved to the country where they began their family life with five children before Bert convinced Doreen of a move to Australia.
They became Ten Pound Poms and boarded the P&O Orient liner S.S. Strathmore in November 1962 for the six to seven week trip.
Their first home was a hostel in Nunawading before Bert gained farm work in Longwarry, which became the family’s home for the next five years, ahead of their move to Warragul where they became lifelong residents.
Bert first worked at the Warragul Post Office and then would hitchhike to Dandenong for an afternoon shift at the GM Holden factory. He would do bread deliveries at Longwarry on weekends.
He worked at the post office for more than 30 years before his passion for photography
led him to a freelance photography position at The Gazette.
Bert’s passion for photography also was reflected in his involvement with the Warragul Camera Club and his love for going on field trips and camping trips with members
Bert also was well known in the community helping out the Uncle Bob’s Club’s Good Friday Appeal, selling poppies for the RSL, St John’s Ambulance, Red Cross, CFA Longwarry, CFA Warragul and the Freemasons Lodge.
He also was a Justice of the Peace and volunteered with the State Emergency Service.
Bert was a resident at Fairview Village before his death.
He is survived by his children Jill, Peter, Susan, Christine and their families including 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.