General News
20 May, 2025
DALE TATTERSALL — Capturing treasured moments
For over 30 years Dale’s camera tracked events that highlighted the lives of Maryborough’s citizens.
His studio was the workroom of a master photographer.
He wouldn’t believe that “Kodak” would have succumbed to the mobile phone (electronic media).
The art of the photographer was mastered in the darkroom where he could transform a mundane image into a masterpiece.
I remember a lengthy discussion I had with Dale regarding drawing a circular backdrop freehand.
He claimed that the immortal Italian artist DaVinci could draw a perfect circle.
He obtained some of his inspiration from the Florentine masters.
Dale served his apprenticeship with Peter Fox, the master portrait photographer.
Of course on many occasions Dale was shadowed by the legendary Wal Richards, whose photographs were exhibited at the art gallery and were well attended, many were sold.
At the East School (PS 2828) I decided to set up a dark room.
One of the staff toilets was perfect as it was as dark as a dungeon and had a water supply.
Dale generously helped myself and Ian Andrew set it up.
He advised us on the necessary equipment required and we were ready to go.
Through the supplementary grants, class sets of cameras were obtained and away we went.
Every aspect of the school day was captured.
John Blower, the audio-visual expert from Ballarat, along with Denis Spielvogel collaborated with us.
It would be fascinating to know how many locals have a “Dale Tattersall” photo album in their possession.
Prior to the arrival of coloured photography, Erma, Dale’s wife, would hand-paint the photos.
Unfortunately Dale wasn’t able to capitalise on the lucrative school photos as Arthur Reed, a Sydney-sider had cornered the market in eastern Australia.
His organisation worked with military precision providing class, individual and family photos along with staff photos.
Dale initially did school photos but couldn’t compete.
Dale enlisted in the army at the age of 17. A plane crash saw him hospitalised and lost half of each lung. He then contracted tuberculosis. He passed away in 2001. He will long be remembered for his friendliness and generosity.
Erma, Dale’s wife, was a pharmacist who worked for John Ritchie.
She is most remembered for her work as a locum throughout the district.
Dale and Erma had three sons — Warren, Chris and Evan.
Warren took over the photography business but with the growth in electronic technology and the change in people’s customs, the business closed.
With his wife Gillian, they established the Herbalife business.
They have recently purchased the lease of the Bristol Hill Motel.
Gillian also had a period as the district health inspector.
Evan has recently retired. He was a senior engineer working on the Melbourne tunnel. He was also CEO of Rail Projects Victoria, working on the tunnel and other rail projects.
He has purchased a property just out of Daylesford and is looking forward to a quiet life.
Evan played football for Royal Park and unfortunately was beaten in the grand final.
Evan’s daughter Brigitte, a dietician, works at the Austin Hospital.
Their son, Wil is six foot six — tall like his father. He played college basketball in the USA for four years and is now living in the States and working in finance.
Andrea, Evan’s wife, is a veterinarian who specialises in the detection of transmissible diseases from animals to humans.
Chris married Jenny Hastings, a local girl. He is a structural engineer in private practice.
To quote Evan, Chris was an outstanding student who performed brilliantly at High School, he was to blossom at university.
Chris is aware of the sacrifices his parents made to ensure their university places.
Cathryn, Chris’s daughter, is an architect.
The family has certainly been a beacon of light for the community.