Jade Stott

Introduction / Background

Camera Recycle Project facilitates the collection of unused camera equipment in the community (supplemented by purchased new cameras) and makes it available to young West Australians who do not have access to this equipment.

The young people participating represent broad regional, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and include identified target audiences of strategic importance (including youth, “at-risk”, CALD and Indigenous populations – metro and remote/regional). The one thing these young people all have in common is the positive way they engage with the cameras and the community through photography.

My name is Jade Stott, and I founded the project in July 2009. I am a 27-year-old Perth girl. I studied Psychology at University, and photography has always been a passion of mine. Whilst working as a Youth Worker I started engaging with the young people through photography, and then put a call-out for old cameras people had at home. More recently I have been working in remote Aboriginal communities educating and promoting the use of technology to record storytelling and traditional practices and engage with the globalised youth culture. I am greatly assisted by a pool of young talented creatives, and passionate photographers who lend their assistance wherever they can.

Our primary objectives are to:

1. To provide access to cameras and other technology for creative expression.

2. To increase community awareness of the “digital divide” – unequal access to technology based on socioeconomic status;

3. To encourage positive recreational and social involvement in the community;

4. To engage youth in the Perth photographic community via mentorship;

5. To teach photographic, editing and computing skills to young people in a youth-friendly manner led by professional photographers/teachers;

6. To provide information on photography and associated opportunities (i.e. as a creative outlet, advertising, exhibition/competition info, advocacy and awareness raising, career and education options).

The Project

Last week we suffered a big blow - in that all (but 2) of our cameras got stolen (break-in, not by our young people!!) and our insurance had lapsed recently. We were working hard to save to renew it. Yes, we’ve learnt valuable business lessons from this incident!!! But we want to be bigger and better now, and learn from our mistakes☺

We have recognised that we need a small pool (5-10) of good quality DSLR cameras to leverage the rest of our project. 5 cameras purchased second-hand are approximately $350 each, with insurance $550 (making our total ask of $2300).

These are the cameras we use to produce high quality creative content from young people and of young people, at events etc. The public see these, hear about us and donate cameras they have lying around at home.

It has the added bonus of reducing environmental waste – technology is superseded so quickly!!!

To be honest, cameras don't come in left right and centre - so we do the best with what we've got. If we get old film stuff donated, we sell it to other photographers and use that money to purchase digital cameras.

These are also the cameras we hire to other government bodies, youth and arts organisations at a fee (yes we make them pay for it, but not much and way less than camera shops!!) - organisastions in effect fund the young people hiring cameras more long-term for FREE.

So spread the word, we need your help - we NEED these 5-10 DSLR's replaced by July 2012 to fulfill a community arts project commitment we've made. In the meantime we’ve cancelled all workshops, and have a couple of our DSLR’s on long-term loan to three individuals young males (one of whom has moved to Melbourne to further his photography career), one organisation (HALO) and one remote community (Burringurrah Remote Aboriginal Community, Gascoyne, Western Australia).

What We've Done So Far | What We're Doing Next

In July 2009 we were awarded a YCulture Metro grant of $1800 to seed a Pilot Project with Joondalup Youth Support Services.

Since that time, we’ve hired cameras to 541 young people for free, and have worked in partnership with organisations including YMCA of Perth, HALO Youth Leadership Agency, Passages Resource Centre, the Injury Control Council of WA, Youth Futures WA, Propel Youth Arts, WA Mental Health Commission, South Metropolitan Area Health Service – Mental Health, Department for Communities, Public Transport Authority, Edmund Rice Centre, City of Joondalup, Country Arts WA and Awesome Arts.

The money I am asking for here does not cover all of the expenses associated with this project, but it allows us to carry on as we were before. That’s nearly 4 years of stable community arts projects and partnerships. If I can surpass this goal, it will lessen the burden. Any pledge really helps!

Our long-term vision is to have an official technology library, a "hub" for digital media creativity, and also to have an international "Linking Latitudes" program. We are also working on a Govt of WA - Waste Authority grant that will enable us to have official collection boxes in major retail stores. All in good time :)

Feedback on Camera Recycle Project:

“In their road to recovery from substance use many of the young people we work with say they want to feel normal by doing fun and meaningful things that don’t revolve around using drugs. I believe the Camera Recycle Project is an innovative program that has the potential to engage young people in activities that are youth-orientated and geared to building strengths and social connections.” (Paula Hine, Clinical Psychologist, Drug & Alcohol Youth Service)

“We can see that the Camera Recycle Project’s new initiative of displaying artwork in public transport areas will promote better relationships between PTA officers and youth in the community, provide community awareness of issues facing youth in our community, and celebrate good artwork.” (Stephanie Celizic, Community Education Officer, Public Transport Authority)

“Working with the Camera Recycle program has been an amazing experience for not only our participants but also our staff. While I take great pleasure in viewing the expressions, emotions and stories captured in the photos many of the young people are also embracing the whole artistic experience. I strongly recommend this project and the benefits it offers to any organisation working with young people and the value for money this team brings to any funding body in a position to support their work and the future opportunities this will bring to others.” (Lee-Anne Smith, CEO, HALO Leadership Development Agency)

Why I need Pozible - and you


• 75% of the funds will go toward purchasing equipment

• 10% will go towards equipment and public liability insurance ($550)

• 15% will go toward reward fulfilment -- postcards, books, etc.

Part of the reason I want to use Pozible is to build a community around this project. I want to raise funds and I want your support but the community aspect is very important to me as well. What these young people capture and have to say is important, but having an audience is even more crucial!

Please review the Rewards on the right hand side and when you're ready, if you'd like to make a pledge, click on ‘Support Project’ in the upper right hand corner.

Thank you for considering becoming a supporter. I welcome your questions and feedback at[email protected]. For constant updates follow us on Facebook (www.camerarecycleproject.org.au) and I will keep you updated, and of course promise you a product of the highest possible quality.

Please note: Some of the rewards are tailored towards businesses.