Robert Henry Ball resided in Angaston in South Australia’s Barossa Valley. He was manager of the Angaston branch of the National Bank, as well as an amateur photographer. In March 1894 the ‘Observer’ reported of several photographs submitted by Ball, saying, ‘We have received from Mr R.H. Ball, of Angaston, who is an amateur photographer, five excellent views giving a splendid idea of Angaston after the recent hailstorm. The photographs remind one forcibly of an English landscape in the winter season, and also bear evidence to the extensive devastation wrought by the unprecedented terrific hurricane which passed through the district.’ Three years later, Ball’s photograph titled ‘Western Punt; Stage, Blanchetown’ was awarded a commendation in an 1897 issue of the ‘Observer’ as part of its ‘Christmas Supplement photographic competition’.
In addition to his interests in photography, Ball was active in promoting the construction of a railway between Gawler and Angaston. He was secretary of the Angaston Railway Committee and in 1911, the ‘Barossa News’ published a 120-page souvenir of the railway’s opening. The souvenir publication included 250 photographic reproductions, of which Ball contributed 51. His portrait was also included on page 23 of the souvenir book.
- Writers:
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- Date written:
- 2013
- Last updated:
- 2013
