General News
31 July, 2026
Outdoor walks right in focus
WITH cameras in hand and walking shoes laced up, participants in the ‘Warrnambool Photography Walk for Wellness’ will this weekend celebrate the group’s second birthday.
The group is the brainchild of local Stan McCullagh who, two years ago, gathered with a small group of like-minded friends at the Civic Green with a simple idea – to use photography as a reason to get people outdoors, improve wellbeing and make new connections.
“What started as a handful of people has grown into a thriving community of more than 190 members, with our monthly walks regularly attracting up to 18 participants,” Stan said.
“In that time we’ve held 24 consecutive monthly walks, rain or shine. The group was established as a public Facebook community so that anyone could join in, regardless of their photography experience.”
While the group is based in Warrnambool, it has also welcomed participants from Hamilton and the Penola/Mount Gambier region, highlighting the appeal the walks have developed across south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia.
The group currently meets at 9am on the first Saturday of each month, with each walk centred around a different photographic theme or creative challenge.
“Some of the more popular themes have included leading lines, shapes, colours, street photography from a dog’s point of view, what the Folk Festival means to me, and decay.
“The themes aren’t about taking the perfect photograph, they’re simply a fun way to encourage people to look at familiar places from a different perspective.”
Over the past two years the group has explored a wide variety of locations including Port Fairy, Koroit, the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens, the Warrnambool Library, the Warrnambool Cemetery, Fletcher Jones Gardens, Marketplace, and many interesting locations throughout the Warrnambool CBD.
“The beauty of the group is that it isn’t about the equipment,” Stan said.
“Some participants bring professional cameras while many simply use their mobile phones.
“Our philosophy has always been simple. If it has a camera, feel free to come along.”
After each walk, the group heads to a local café from around 10am for coffee, and for many people the social connection has become just as important as the photography.
To celebrate the group’s second anniversary, members will return to where it all began (at the Civic Green) at 9am tomorrow, Saturday, August 1.
“When I started the group two years ago, I simply hoped a few people would enjoy getting outdoors with a camera and meeting others with a shared interest,” Stan said.
“Seeing it grow into a community of more than 190 members, with people travelling from across the region to join us each month, has been incredibly rewarding.
“While photography brings us together, it’s really the friendships, conversations and shared enjoyment of our local area that keep people coming back.”
The walks are completely free, with no membership fees or experience required.
“It is simply a group of like-minded people meeting once a month to enjoy photography, explore our region and finish the morning with a coffee and a chat,” Stan said.
