Retrospective photographic exhibition held
A retrospective exhibition of photos by John Hearder will be held as part of Pearl Beach's 80th anniversary celebrations across the weekend of October 10 and 11.
"John Hearder was honored as both a war hero and for his outstanding professional work as a photographer," Pearl Beach Progress Association publicity officer Ms Lynne Lillico said.
"Commander Hearder won the distinguished service cross for valor as commanding officer of a flotilla clearing mines during World War II.
"Toward the end of the war the British Admiralty set up a photographic unit for the British Fleet in the Pacific based in Sydney and put Commander Hearder in charge.
"Travelling through the Pacific war theatre he was one of the first into Changi prisoner of war camp, capturing haunting images.
"He was also on board battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the peace treaty.
"A selection of war images will be included in the exhibition.
"He has been described as a hero with an eye for beauty and in 1949 he set up his own photographic studio in Sydney and became synonymous with glamour portraits, nudes and wedding photographs with their dramatic lighting and individual style that so attracted a celebrity clientele.
"He was official photographer for the Australian Ballet and Australian Opera and among his famous clientele of celebrities were Australians June Dally-Watkins, Lorrae Desmond, Jack Davey, Chips Rafferty and Margo Lee, and famous stars including Vivienne Leigh and Sir Robert Helpmann.
"Margaret Hearder, widow of John Hearder, has loaned her private collection depicting Sydney's social history from the end of the Second World War until the 1970s when John retired to spend more time taking on new interests including pottery."
Ms Lillico said a special exhibition preview had been planned for October 9, from 5pm to 7pm at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall.
The official opening will take place on October 10, from 2pm, with special guests Ms June Dally-Watkins and Ms Lorrae Desmond.
The exhibition will be open to the public from 12pm to 5pm across the weekend.
Entry is by donation to the Pearl Beach Save the Rock Pool fund.
Press release, 21 Sep 2009
Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association