Lynne Mowbray|

Local photographer Jessica Robertson (Jessica Robertson Creative) has gifted one of her signature photographs which is now on display in the bistro area of the Bowlo Sports and Leisure Yamba (Yamba Bowling Club).

Club Manager Phil Boughton said that they asked Jessica to send the club a number of images to look at, that epitomised Yamba.

“The interior designer and I looked at the images and short listed a few and then those images were put to the board members, who overwhelmingly picked this image,” Mr Boughton said.

“We went back to Jess and said this is the image we’ve chosen, what are you going to charge for it?

“She came back and said, “no, you can have the image”.

“We were shocked and delighted and really thankful that she did that for us – I was blown away.

“The photograph is made from a vinyl like material and is very robust, similar to billboards.

“The image, depicting Yamba trawlers, takes up a whole wall (in the bistro) three metres by eight meters. We chose this wall because it is one of the longest walls in the club and it is a real showcase for the whole of the bistro.

“We get a lot of visitors dining here and we’re already seeing a lot of kids coming up to the wall and getting mum and dad to take their photos with the trawlers in the background.

“So, they’ll always have those memories on their phones of Yamba and what Yamba stands for,” he said.

Jessica said that she was thrilled to have one of her photographs displayed on the wall in the club.

“I’ve grown up in the area and have been coming to the bowling club since I was a kid,” Jessica said.

“I always admired other photographers in the area work on the walls and said one day I’d like to be like them and so I strived to always push the boundaries and when the opportunity came up, I thought it’s a no brainer.

“The community supported my dream to start my business and so I wanted to give that support back and what better way than to donate the image for everyone to enjoy here at the Yamba Bowling Club.

“I didn’t see this as a money-making opportunity, I just saw it as a way to connect with the community and give back,” she said.