WA Snap-Shots Support Medical Research

September 30th, 2008 - Media Statement

Celebrated West Australian photographer Christian Fletcher has stepped into the new realm of genetics to help the State's premier adult medical research institute raise funds for 2009.

The Multi-award winning, Dunsborough-based photographer has donated breath-taking images of WA landscapes to the first fundraising calendar for the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR).

Mr Fletcher said he was spurred by the important cause to lend panoramic views of Western Australian coastlines, bushland and other natural scenes for the fundraising effort.

"An important reason for my contribution was because I knew people who have recently passed away from cancer and I have other friends battling it now," Mr Fletcher said.

"Health is really important to me, especially as I have my own children, so I want to do what I can to give them the best possible chance of a healthy future."

Mr Fletcher said he hoped his donation could help WAIMR raise funds and awareness of their crucial health research.

"I hope the WAIMR calendar raises a lot of funds to support their important research, and can help to boost their profile by taking their name and presence into many homes and workplaces," he said.

"I would like the calendar to become a local icon that will mean something to people beyond the images I've donated, so I'd urge everyone to grab a copy to help WAIMR's mission."

Some impressive images featured in the calendar include Karijini National Park, Fremantle, Margaret River and the Stirling Ranges.

"I'm really passionate about photography and I get quite enthusiastic about it - I wanted to provide a good cross-section of the state to show off what it has to offer," Mr Fletcher said.

Director of WAIMR Professor Peter Klinken said the calendar is a first for the Institute and hoped the stunning images would captivate the community.

"The images in the calendar are just amazing, and it seems fitting that photography from a brilliant West Australian depicting beautiful WA landscapes is helping to support health of the people who enjoy it," he said.

"Christian has been so generous in donating his fantastic photos and we thank him tremendously - we hope that the community makes the most of this opportunity to hang some world-class images on their walls and support a great cause."

The 2009 WAIMR calendar will be available at Newspower Newsagencies from October.

For more information contact WAIMR on (08) 9224 0333.

For more information please contact:
Sarah Hayward
Media Consultant for the WA Institute for Medical Research
Mobile: 0411 404 415
Office: (08) 9388 9280