Inducted into ACS Hall of Fame – 2001
Milton Ingerson was born in Hindmarsh, South Australia and his early ambition was to become an engineering draftsman. He studied at Thebarton Boys Technical School, where he excelled at drafting and tech drawing. Companies seeking junior staff would often approach “Thebby Tech” to see if they had any students with the talents necessary to fill a job they had available. This is how Milton started his first job, it was in the drawing office of Kelvinator on twenty one shillings a week in late 1943.
Photography had been one of Milton’s hobbies and now that he was earning money it allowed him to buy some equipment and set up a dark room in the family bathroom (to the displeasure of his mum, dad and big brother).
Milton was the 9th Federal President of the Society and held that position for 12 consecutive years. This made him the longest serving ACS Federal President. He was awarded ACS Accreditation in 1982 allowing him to use the initials ACS after his name and in 1987 was awarded Life Membership of the SA Branch. He was inducted into the ACS Hall of Fame in 2001.
Each year the Executive would meet with members coming from each State. When this was held in Adelaide, Milton would generously throw his studio open and make equipment available for judging of the award films. Later the Executive would meet for the AGM and, when Milton was in charge of these meetings, they were very lively and very productive.
At the conclusion of the weekend meeting Milton would host a dinner for the Executive and, after the boardroom battles of the day, we would all happily enjoy an excellent dinner and a glass or two of good red wine.
Milton’s 40 years of contributions to the Australian Film Industry were recognised in the 2002 Australia Day Honours when he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal.
