Bill Griffiths Oral History

DETAILS

Overview
Bill Griffiths, born in Gympie in 1946, recounts his life and his long career as a professional photographer in the Noosa region. After his family relocated to Tewantin during his childhood, Griffiths attended local schools before leaving at age fifteen to work with his father, Sam Griffiths, who had established Griffiths Studios. The business originated from Sam’s early photographic work documenting theatrical productions and community events, eventually expanding into a full studio in Poinciana Avenue.

Griffiths describes learning photography informally under his father’s guidance and later gaining experience across weddings, portraits, commercial photography, darkroom processing, and press work. He contributed both still and 16mm motion picture footage to ABC and Channel 10 as a freelance stringer, covering accidents, festivals, and local news. The family also founded the Noosa News in 1968, operating multiple connected businesses—including a printery and plan printing service—before eventually selling the newspaper to the Sunshine Coast Daily.

Across three decades, Griffiths photographed major community events, aerial scenes, notable public figures, and everyday beach life. His reflections highlight the substantial growth of Noosa, shifts in photographic technology, and the decline of slower analogue workflows. He also discusses his later interests in boatbuilding and maintaining connections with long time local friends.

Photograph

Bill Griffiths, February 2015

Oral History Transcript

Bill Griffiths Oral History - Transcript

Audio

Bill Griffiths Oral History - Audio

IDENTIFIERS

Subject (Keywords)BoatsBusinessesPhotographers

CONNECTIONS

LocalityCootharabaPersonBill GriffithsBusinessPelican Boat HireNoosa News

Menu

Bill Griffiths Oral History