Improving Your Image Through Visual Communications



Journalist - Photographer - Writer

CV

Curriculum vitae of Darren Stones


View Darren Stones's profile on LinkedIn

Employment:


2006 - present - Darren Stones Visual Communications
Purpose is to provide photography, journalism, writing, education, communication services and products that assists clients in the photographic, media, publishing, finance, local government, business, community, health, education and recreation sectors.
Roles:
Manager/Owner
Photographer
Journalist
Writer
Facilitator
Speaker
Presenter
Trainer
Mentor
Responsibilities:
Small business management
Digital photography
Licensing of digital photographs
Photography print product creation and sales
Online photography catalogue creation and management
Asset management
Researching
Marketing
Promotions
Public relations
Photography location research and planning
Writing feature articles
Writing photography advice articles
Writing photography location articles
Social media website creation, management and engagement
Creating and facilitating photography workshops
Photography mentoring
Photography critique
Photography competition judging
Bookkeeping
Contract negotiation
Contract preparation
Survey creation

1981-2006 - Stones Painting
A family owned and operated professional painting and decorating business servicing commercial clients and home owners in Melbourne.
Roles:
Manager/Owner/Partner
Painter and Decorator
Responsibilities:
Small business management
Estimating
Contract negotiation
Contract preparation
Customer engagement
Equipment and material purchasing
Bookkeeping
Painting
Decorating
Wallpapering

Community Service Work and Volunteer Work:

Dec 2012 - present - Outreach
Roles:
Mentoring
Social Support
Assistance
Information Distribution
Speaker
Socialising
Responsibilities:
I outreach on a voluntary basis to assist people in Melbourne, however I assist people anywhere. Work is done via face-to-face, telephone, email, online chat.

2012 - present - Essendon Camera Club
The Essendon Camera Club is one of Melbourne's foremost photographic clubs.
Roles:
Photography Master Class Presenter, Landscape Photography - Research, Plan, Accomplish 2013
Public relations
Responsibilities:
Master Class instruction and presenting 2013
Public relations at the Moonee Valley Festival 2013

2012 - present - Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council VMIAC
The VMIAC is the peak Victorian non-government organisation for people who have experience with a mental illness or emotional distress. VMIAC engages in a number of activities, which include information provision, advice, mutual support and self-help, individual, group and systemic advocacy, research and evaluation, and education and training.
Roles:
Focus Group Participant
Peer Support
Responsibilities:
Provision of verbal and written feedback
Group engagement

2012 - Month of August - Latitude Insights for beyondblue
Role:
Community Research Participant
Responsibilities:
Online community engagement
Provision of written feedback

2011 - 2012 - Alliance for Better Access
A group of Australian mental health consumers, concerned members of the general public, psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, general practitioners, occupational therapists and mental health nurses who are opposed to cutting psychological services in the 'Better Access' to Mental Health Care initiative.
Roles:
Consumer Representative
Administrator during 2012
Responsibilities:
Conduct social media publicity and promotion activities
Devise and implement campaign strategy
Participate in interviews with journalists
Write to Federal MPs
Provide information to media outlets and the public

2010 - present - beyondblue blueVoices
beyondblue's national consumer and carer reference group
Role:
Consumer Group Participant
Focus Group Participant
Responsibilities:
Provision of feedback
Community engagement
Supply beyondblue facts sheets and information materials to the public
Self-start promotional activities via social media
Provide a consumer perspective

2008-2011 - Australian Travel Photography and Writing Group
Roles:
Group Founder
Host
Membership Manager
Moderator
Journalist
Responsibilities:
Photography and Writing Curator
Editorial content
Forum creation
Forum topic creation and engagement
Community engagement
Public relations
Promotions
Marketing
Social media website creator, manager and engagement
Journalist and opinion commentator for the group's Discover Australia magazine
Competition creation, coordination and judging
Membership managing (over 1000 members)
Publishing agent
Charity program creator and manager

1996-2005 - Northern Golf Club
Roles:
Senior and Junior Pennant Team Manager (North-West Region Pennant)
Junior Development Officer
VGA Pennant Squad Advisor
VGA Senior and Colts Pennant Caddy
Qualified Club Rules Official with the Victorian Golf Association
Responsibilities:
Team managing
Program development and facilitation
Rules training
Local rules creation and management
Golf training program creator and manager
Team advising
Officiating golf events
Caddying for pennant players
Transport of players, caddies and supporters
Club delegate
Player advocate
Player support
Player advisor

Education:


2013 - Diploma of Community Development, Kangan Institute (current)
2013 - Diploma of Community Services Work, Kangan Institute (current)
2012 - Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Moreland Adult Education
2012 - Diploma in Public Relations, Promotions and Marketing, Australian College
2012 - National Editor, Diploma of Editing (Publishing), Australian College (current)
2011 - Certificate IV in Small Business Management, Kangan Institute
2009 - Diploma in Professional Freelance Journalism, Cengage
2008 - Diploma in Freelance Photography, Thomson Education
2007 - Diploma in Freelance Travel Writing and Photography, Thomson Education

Additional Study:


2014 - The Mental Health & Wellbeing of Young People, Generation Next, Kingston City Hall, Moorabbin, Friday 2 May, 2014
2014 - Innovation in Action Program and Seminar, Alcohol and Other Drugs, ReGen UnitingCare, Coburg, Thursday 20 March, 2014. Topic: Developing therapeutic responses to methamphetamine use and dependence.
2013 - Hoarding Forum, Mid West Alliance, Club Italia, Sunshine, 18 October 2013, 2013
2013 - Consumer Workforce Education and Mutual Support Day, Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council, VMIAC Office Brunswick, 10 April 2013. Education Session: Personal Helpers and Mentors (PHaMs) scheme program. Peer support and networking.
2013 - Innovation in Action Program and Seminar, Alcohol and Other Drugs, ReGen UnitingCare, Coburg, Thursday 14 March, 2013. Topics: Global Drug Survey: emerging drug trends, Service User Participation - A whole of organisation approach, Partnerships In Action, Online Treatment Enhancement - developments and possibilities.
2013 - Consumer Workforce Education and Mutual Support Day, Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council, VMIAC Office Brunswick, 7 February, 2013. Education Session: National Disability Insurance Scheme. Peer Support and Networking.
2013 - Moreland City Council Community Plan 2025. Live, play and work in the future. Community consultation, conversation and workshop. Glenroy Senior Citizens Centre Tuesday 29 January 2013.
2012 - Small Business Marketing with Zero Budget with Andrew Griffiths and Tim Reid, Webinar, November 2, 2012
2012 - Men's Health Awareness Forum, Gannawarra Centre, Essendon, October 30, 2012
2012 - Consumer Workforce Education and Mutual Support Day, Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council, VMIAC Office Brunswick, July 18, 2012
2012 - Focus on Mental Health, Enabling Social Inclusion seminar and workshop, Catholic Social Services Victoria, Cardinal Knox Centre, June 26, 2012
2011 - Spectacular Photographic Seminar, East Gippsland Photographic Society, October 8 and 9, 2011, St Mary's Parish Hall, Bairnsdale
2011 - Mental Health First Aid Certificate, Norwood Services (Orygen Youth Health, Melbourne University)
2008 - Certificate in Information Technology (Microsoft Word - Levels 2 and 3)
2008 - Certificate in Information Technology (Microsoft Word - Level 1)
2004 - Getting Started on Computers, Kangan TAFE

Professional Membership:


Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (Australian Journalists Association)
Student Member of the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)

Other Memberships:


Australian Photographic Society APS
Essendon Camera Club
Glenroy RSL, social member
beyondblue blueVoices
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council VMIAC

Photography Competitions:


2013 - Victorian Association of Photographic Societies Interclub Competition, Two Photographs selected to represent the Essendon Camera Club in the Digitally Projected Category
2013 - Essendon Camera Club, April, Open Subject Category
2013 - Essendon Camera Club, March, Open and Set Subject Categories
2013 - Harden-Murrumbah Camera Club Photographic Competition and Exhibition
2013 - Essendon Camera Club, February Open and Set Subject Categories
2013 - Toowoomba Royal Show 4th National Exhibition of Photography
2013 - Australian Digital Photography Awards
2012 - Essendon Camera Club End of Year Awards
2012 - Kevin Phelan Landscape Award, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - Essendon Camera Club, October, Open Subject Category
2012 - Interclub Competition, Essendon Camera Club Vs Southern Suburbs, October 2012 at Southern Suburbs (2 photos selected to represent Essendon)
2012 - Essendon Camera Club, September, Open and Set Subject Categories
2012 - Interclub Competition, Essendon Camera Club Vs Geelong Camera club
2012 - Essendon Camera Club, August, Open Subject Category
2012 - Gary Lewis Memorial Trophy Three Way Interclub Competition, Essendon Camera Club, Ivanhoe Photographic Society, Rosanna Photographic Club
2012 - Five Way Interclub Competition, Essendon Camera Club, Camberwell Camera Club, Williamstown Camera Club, Knox Photographic Society, Yarra Ranges Photographic Society
2012 - Essendon Camera Club, July, Open Subject Category
2012 - Essendon Camera Club, June, Open and Set Subject Categories
2012 - Essendon Camera Club, May, Open and Set Subject Categories
2012 - Warragul Camera Club 40th National Photographic Exhibition
2012 - Western Districts 25th National Exhibition of Photography
2012 - Hervey Bay 1st National Digital Salon
2012 - Head On Photography Festival
2011 - Henry Lawson Festival of Arts
2011 - Australian Digital Photography Awards
2010 - Australian Digital Photography Awards
2009 - Henry Lawson Festival of Arts
2009 - Australian Digital Photography Awards
2008 - Henry Lawson Festival of Arts
2008 - Australian Digital Photography Awards

Exhibitions - Photography:


2013 - Toowoomba Royal Show 4th National Exhibition of Photography
2013 - Harden-Murrumbah Camera Club Photographic Competition and Exhibition, Harden NSW
2012 - Essendon Camera Club Exhibition, Incinerator Gallery, Moonee Ponds, VIC
2012 - 40th Warragul National Photographic Exibition, St Paul's Anglican Grammar School Warragul, VIC
2012 - 25th Western Districts National, Orange Library and Charles Sturt University Dubbo NSW
2012 - Hervey Bay 1st National Digital Salon
2011 - Henry Lawson Festival of Arts
2011 - APSCON, Australian Photographic Society, Digital Photography Exhibition
2009 - Henry Lawson Festival of Arts
2008 - Vivid National Photography Exhibition, Australian Digital Photography Awards, Australian Photographic Society
2008 - Henry Lawson Festival of Arts

Exhibitions - Other:


2013 - "First Peoples", Bunjilaka Aboriginal cultural Centre, Melbourne Museum, 2013-2023, Point Lonsdale sunset photograph
2008 - "The Melbourne Story", Melbourne Museum, 2008-2018, Melbourne city skyline photograph

Photography Awards:



2013 - Acceptance, Open DPI Category, Toowoomba Royal Show 4th National Exhibition of Photography
2013 - Most Successful Exhibitor Award, Harden-Murrumburrah Camera Club Photographic Competition and Exhibition
2013 - 1st Place, Landscape Colour Section, Harden-Murrumburrah Camera Club Photographic Competition and Exhibition
2013 - Commended, Landscape Colour Section, Harden-Murrumburrah Camera Club Photographic Competition and Exhibition
2013 - 2nd Place, Birds and Animals Section, Harden-Murrumburrah Camera Club Photographic Competition and Exhibition
2013 - Highly Commended, Birds and Animals Section, Harden-Murrumburrah Camera Club Photographic Competition and Exhibition
2013 - 2nd Place, Open Colour Section, Harden-Murrumburrah Camera Club Photographic Competition and Exhibition
2013 - Highly Commended, Open DPI Category, March Competition, Essendon Camera Club
2013 - Two x Highly Commended, Open DPI Category, February Competition, Essendon Camera Club
2013 - Highly Commended, Set Subject DPI Category "Silhouettes", February Competition, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - Winner of the Digital Projected Image of the Year, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - Winner of the Highest Aggregate in the Digital Projected Image of the Year, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - Winner of the Kevin Phelan Landscape Award, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - 2nd Place Club Award Open Digital Projected Image Aggregate, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - 2nd Place, Open DPI Category, October Competition, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - Two x Highly Commended, Open DPI Category, September Competition, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - Highly Commended, Set Subject DPI Category "Slow Shutter Speed", September Competition, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - Best Digital Image of Essendon Camera Club, Garry Lewis Memorial Trophy Three Way Interclub Competition, Essendon Camera Club, Ivanhoe Photographic Society, Rosanna Photographic Society
2012 - 3rd Place and Highly Commended, Open DPI Category, July Competition, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - Two acceptances, Landscape/Seascape Digital Category, 40th National Photographic Exhibition
2012 - Two acceptances, Open Digital Category, 40th Warragul National Photographic Exhibition
2012 - One acceptance, Nature Digital Category, Western Districts 25th National Exhibition
2012 - Two acceptances, Open Digital Category, Western Districts 25th National Exhibition
2012 - 1st Place, Open DPI Category, June Competition, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - 2nd Place, Set Subject DPI Category "Weather", May Competition, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - 2nd Place and 4th Place, Open DPI Category, May Competition, Essendon Camera Club
2012 - Four acceptances, Open Category, Hervey Bay 1st National Digital Salon
2011 - Runner-up, Science and Nature Category, Henry Lawson Festival of Arts
2011 - Highly Commended x 2, Photojournalism Category, Henry Lawson Festival of Arts
2011 - Highly Commended, Landscape Category, Henry Lawson Festival of Arts
2011 - Merit Award, Open Category, Australian Photographic Society National Digital Exhibition
2011 - Merit Award, Photojournalism Category, Australian Photographic Society National Digital Exhibition
2009 - Outstanding Contributor, April, National Library of Australia, Picture Australia
2008 - Outstanding Contributor, December, National Library of Australia, Picture Australia
2008 - Winner, Best Photograph of the Exhibition, Henry Lawson Festival of Arts
2008 - Winner, Open Category, Henry Lawson Festival of Arts
2008 - Commended, Australian Digital Photography Awards, Australian Photographic Society
2007 - Two acceptances, Open Section, Australian Digital Photography Awards
2007 - One acceptance, Altered Reality Section, Australian Digital Photography Awards
2007 - Winner, Members Choice, Australian Digital POTD, October
2002 - Merit, Kit Goninon Memorial Award, Australian Photographic Society
2001 - Reserve Champion and Highly Commended, Whittlesea Agricultural Show

Festivals and Events:


2012 - Henry Lawson Festival of Arts (photojournalism)
2012 - ANZAC Day, Glenroy RSL (photojournalism)
2011 - Henry Lawson Festival of Arts (photojournalism)
2011 - Aussie Rock on Arden (Jimmy Barnes, Ian Moss, Jon Stevens, Shannon Noll) (photojournalism)
2010 - The 30th Merimbula Classic (Kitesurfing, Windsurfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding) (photojournalism)
2009 - ANZAC Day Ceremony, Kiama, New South Wales (photojournalism)
2008 - Henry Lawson Festival of Arts (photojournalism)
2008 - Canberra Balloon Fiesta (photojournalism)
2007 - Pascoe Vale Festival (photojournalism)
2007 - Bermagui Seaside Fair (journalism, photojournalism)
2006 - Hervey Bay Whale Festival (photojournalism)

Published Photographs - Books:


2012 - Bespoke Journeys, Mercedes Benz (Hardie Grant)
2011 - Australia Photo Atlas, Hema Maps
2010 - The High Country Atlas and Guide, Hema Maps
2009 - The Complete Guide To The Great Ocean Road, BestShot!


Published Photographs - Magazines:


2011 - "Batemans Bay Bridge", "Batemans Bay First National Real Estate, Cover
2009 - "Beechworth", Australian Traveller, April/May issue
2008 - "Beechworth", Camera, September/October issue
2007 - "Humpback Whale", Australian Traveller, 48 Hours in Hervey Bay, June/July issue

Published Photographs - Newspapers:


2011 - Flooding in Mikado Street, online, Herald Sun, December 26th
2008 - "Shirley Grant", hard copy, Brisbane Seniors, Sunshine Coast Seniors, Gold Coast/Tweed Seniors, September

Printed Photographs - Calendars:


2011 - The Great Ocean Road 2012 Calendar, Darren Stones Visual Communications (self-commission)
2011 - 2012 Land of Promise Wall and Desk Calendar, Calorama Calendars
2011 - 2013 Australian Beauty Calendar, Freeman Productions

Published Writing - Magazines:


2011 - "Walking out of a black hole", HealthSmart magazine
2011 - "Jimmy Barnes and friends rock Aussie Rock on Arden", Discover Australia magazine
2011 - "Easter treats on the Sapphire Coast", Discover Australia magazine
2011 - "Shear Outback, Hay NSW", Discover Australia magazine
2010 - "Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk", Discover Australia magazine
2010 - "Steve Parish: 50 Years Photographing Australia", Discover Australia magazine
2010 - "Travel Bites", Summer column, Discover Australia magazine
2010 - "Travel Bites", Winter column, Discover Australia magazine
2010 - "From the journo's desk", Winter column, Discover Australia magazine
2010 - "The heart, mind and soul of the Utes In The Paddock", Discover Australia magazine
2010 - "Travel Bites", Autumn column, Discover Australia magazine
2010 - "5 tips for photographing Anzac Day", Discover Australia magazine
2010 - "From the journo's desk", Autumn column, Discover Australia magazine
2007 - "48 Hours in Hervey Bay", Australian Traveller magazine, June/July issue

Published Writing - Newspapers:


2011 - "Let's Walk Australia stepped out for the first time", online, Moonee Valley Leader, September 4th
2011 - "New mental health initiative designed to inspire Australians", online, Moreland Leader, August 28th
2011 - "A Beaut Australian Festival", online and hard copy, Grenfell Record, May 25th

Media Coverage:


2012 - "Workshop to inspire photographers during Lawson Festival", Grenfell Record, February 9th
2010 - Mental Health Week article, Hume Weekly, September

Photography Workshops:


2012 - Grenfell Festival Travel Photography Workshop (creator and facilitator)

Photography Judging:


2012 - 55th Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival of Arts, Co-judged all categories with Denise Yates

Commissions:


2011 - Walking out of a black hole, article, November '11 issue, Health Smart magazine

Presentations:


2013 - Ceres Environment Park - A community development project, Community Development Education Presentation, Kangan Institute, Broadmeadows, September 2013
2013 - RUOK? Day - A conversation could change a life, Community Development Education Presentation and Workshop Session, Kangan Institute, Broadmeadows, September 2013
2013 - Stop TAFE Cuts!, Human Rights Education and Information Presentation, Kangan Institute, Broadmeadows, August 2013
2013 - Heroin to Methadone - A life choice, Alcohol and Other Drugs Presentation Session, Kangan Institute, Broadmeadows, April 2013
2013 - Landscape Photography - Research, Plan, Accomplish, Master Class Landscape Photography Education Presentation, Essendon Camera Club, Monday Feb 18, 2013.
Join me for a Landscape Photography Master Class at the Essendon Camera Club