Rene Brown - Photographer of Hay

By Krista Schade

Arguably one of Hay’s finest and best known photographers Irene Brown, known as Rene, was born in Hay in 1908.

Hay Historical Society has a vast collection of Rene’s images and has collated them in the book “Rene - Photographer of Hay.” The collection has been made possible by the generous donations of many, including Mrs Isabel Abbott (widow of the late Gavin Johnston, former owner of The Riverine Grazier, and talented photographer an local historian in his own right.)

Images were also donated by Mrs Daph Brown to Rod McCully. another former owner of The Grazier, who passed them into the care of the Society. Hay Goal Museum and the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra also hold copies of Rene’s work, which chronicled life in Hay, and captured it for us all to enjoy, generations later.

In the forward of the Society’s publication, Caroline Merrylees described Rene Brown.

“Rene’s hobby took the form of a personal challenge to record her choice of the most significant scene, events and buildings in the town she lived in. Her work was not large in size nor in variety, but it is marked by a determination to achieve a high standard. Many of her most attractive works were printed on postcards, which were popular and sold widely.”

Rene was the only daughter of Charley and Margaret Brown - Mr Brown was a successful businessman, with a saddlery store in Lachlan Street.

Rene was the only girl among four brothers and enjoyed a happy and indulged childhood, attending Hay Public School and the Methodist Ladies’ College. Rene was self taught but her talent shone through, and she was so well regarded that she was Hay Municipal Council’s official photographer for the 1922 Jubilee celebrations.

Although talented enough to become a professional photographer Rene remained a passionate amateur. She worked at Baxter’s drapery store and her brother Les’ picture theatre as an usher, while taking commissions for weddings and portraits, with her postcard sales as a lucrative sideline.

During World War II Rene joined the Hay District Ambulance Service, covering for the officers away at war, and she was also a member of the Voluntary Aid Detachment, performing community work, mainly at the hospital.

Outside of photography and documenting life in Hay, Rene has a multitude of varied pastimes. She excelled at golf, tennis and bowls and played the piano accordion, often accompanying the children at St Mary’s. Although Rene was not Catholic and did not attend Mass, she formed strong friendships with many of the nuns at the Presentation Convent, and documented life at the Convent.

Rene played piano and violin in a small band and was a very skilled driver and motor mechanic, something very unusual for women in those days. She also enjoyed leatherwork and produced beautiful photo albums.

Originally published in The Riverine Grazier on June 15, 2022.

Below:

Rene captured life in Hay as it was. Tailor Jack Show had a store in Lachlan Street opposite the Post Office. Below is a Lachlan Street scene featuring the Paragon Cafe, where Two Billy Buttons is now located. Note the unsealed main road.

Bogged in Belmore Street Hay - ‘Snow’ Beaumont and R Ridges with D Hurley’s car.

“When the flood waters were up I would stick on my gum boots and wade through the water. You might be a bit shocked by this but having skirts in those days, there were no slacks you see, I had to tuck my clothes into my bloomers. Then, with my gum boots up to my knees, I’d wobble through the flood waters to get the right position. Anyway, when I got home I couldn’t get the boots off and I had to stick my legs up in the air until someone pulled the boots off me.”

The self-portrait (above) and portrait of a sweeping housewife showcase Rene’s unpretentious style.