Dr Chris Cokis had a unique vision for his Presidential Portrait, which he describes in the summary below. His portrait was taken in 2025 after a couple of false starts due to the weather. It was unveiled in July 2025 and is now hanging in Ulimaroa.
My term as President was marked by a return to normal activities after the COVID-19 restrictions. We could travel again, get together and run an in-person College Annual Scientific Meeting again.
During my initial chats with the Museum Curator, Veronica Dominiak, about my future portrait, I spontaneously made a remark that I could have my portrait taken with an iPhone. Veronica instantly picked up on this comment and thought it could be a good avenue to showcase my informal attitude through modern and now common form of photography. Mobile photography can now be considered as an artform with various mobile photography awards. We explored this route however it didn’t prove viable, so we instead decided to exhibit my relaxed approach through the location of my portrait.
My portrait was taken by Jarrad Seng, a well-known Western Australian photographer, who understood my deliberate choice of a casual setting by the beachside.
Presidential portrait of Dr Chris Cokis by Jarrad Seng
With both of us based in Perth we patiently waited for an appropriate day for that warm evening sunlight to come through – so typical of Western Australian sunsets.
I hope the portrait captures the informal and approachable attitude I tried to bring to my role and I thank the ANZCA fellowship for allowing me the great honour of being their President.
Jarrad Seng took multiple photographs of Dr Chris Cokis during the photoshoot. This one didn’t make it to the final cut but is another favourite. Taken by a First Aid sign, the portrait balances formality with humour.