Tributes for Denes
FORMER NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell has joined communal identities to pay tribute to veteran Jewish community photographer, George Denes, who has passed away at the age of 82.
Denes, who is survived by his wife Irene, was involved in the community for more than four decades.
“I am aware of how George Denes started in photography at the Air Force Base in Warrington, near Manchester UK and continued this lifetime career since coming to Sydney,” O’Farrell said.
“He earned respect as a commercial photographer specialising in the theatrical performing arts and the development and construction industry, as well as being closely identified for many years in covering and documenting community life for the Australian Jewish News and the busy activities of many communal organisations.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies’ former executive director Margaret Gutman said Denes collected a priceless collection of Sydney jewry.
“While his photographic skills were central to telling our communal stories and events for many years, he was never one to seek the limelight for himself.
“His quiet,courteous manner and European elegance encouraged collaboration and confidence,” she said.
Denes was born in Budapest, Hungary, and his as a 12-year-old in October 1944 to escape being transported by the Nazis to the Ravensbruck death camp.
He managed to survive until the end of the war and arrived in Sydney in 1950.
During his time in Sydney he was the official photographer of the United Israel Appeal, JCA, Jewish National Fund, Zionist Council of NSW, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, WIZO, National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, The Great Synagogue, Yeshiva and others.
In 2004 Denes gave the historic records, including photographs, negatives and proof sheets which chronicled the Jewish community to the Australian Jewish Historical Society, so that they would be preserved for future generations.
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