Back from Melbourne

NOTE: This article is under constant revision, as new bits and pieces of information come to light. If you have any further bits and pieces of information to add, please contribute in the comments below.

The first words Colin Anderson ever spoke to me are etched in my memory. Colin, the Head of Drama at Charles Sturt University, had a presence that preceded him. With a career forged in the theaters of Sydney and London, his reputation, particularly at Sydney University, was cemented by his legendary performance of the song about the “Eternity Man,” Arthur Stace.

Newly arrived in Wagga Wagga, I was still finding my feet – literally. My temporary residence? Romano’s pub. Just a week into my new gig as the Morning Show presenter at ABC Riverina, I found myself at a party at Colin Anderson’s house.

I was a bit out of my element. “Who are you and what are you doing at my party?” he asked me.

Quick as a flash, I replied, “Gavin and Bryce brought me along. They said if I wanted to meet all of the interesting people in Wagga, I should get to know you.” A chuckle rumbled from his chest, and with a twinkle in his eye, he declared, “Good answer, you can stay.”

That chance encounter sparked a friendship that lasted for many years, right up until his passing. It’s a story I even shared at his funeral.

This was long before gay cafes, bars, or the internet. While LGBTQIA+ people certainly existed, social connections were often forged in private spaces, through invitation and word-of-mouth.

Seeking connection, I headed to the Victory Memorial Gardens, a park in the heart of Wagga. Even today, there’s a stigma attached to these kinds of “cruising” spots, often unfairly associated solely with public sex. But back then, they were vital meeting places for gay men in rural towns, spaces to simply chat and connect, especially during the warmer months.

That’s where I met Gavin and Bryce, who, in turn, led me to that fateful party at Colin’s.

1992 – SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN CHOIR VISITS WAGGA

What seemed like a typical choral championship became a national media sensation. The appearance of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir, a newly formed ensemble still finding its voice, unexpectedly thrust the organizers into the spotlight.

In a move that underscored the prevailing prejudices of the time, organizers of the 1992 National Choral Championships in Wagga Wagga asked the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir to suppress their identity by changing their name to the more ambiguous “Eastern Suburbs G & L Choir.

The moment arrived. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir took the stage for their Wagga Wagga debut. Suddenly, a figure rose from the audience – Tom Hillis, a prominent local car dealer. He turned his back on the choir in a gesture of blatant disapproval. But then, a voice rang out, clear and defiant, “Sit down, Tom, you silly old fool!” Whether this heckle truly happened or is merely a cherished legend, it perfectly captures the spirit of defiance that permeated the air. And in the end, despite the protest and prejudice, the choir triumphed. They won!

The choir came back for the 1993 National Choral Championships to defend their title, and a film about that experience was made, to be released in 1995.

1992 – FORMATION OF THE RGLSSG

The choir’s visit seemed to ignite a spark in the community. While the exact timeline is a bit hazy now, the Riverina Gay & Lesbian Support & Social Group emerged soon after, fueled by the excitement and sense of possibility generated by the Sydney singers.

Interestingly, one of our members, Peter Lloyd, revealed that this wasn’t the first attempt at creating a gay social group in Wagga Wagga. An earlier iteration, called “SWAG” or “South West Association of Gays,” had existed sometime before. Peter, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, would often recount how he once deflected a curious inquiry at the bank about the meaning of “SWAG” with a sly, “South West Amateur Golfers.” His witty evasion speaks volumes about the challenges of being openly gay in those days.

Our inaugural RGLSSG event was held at Chris Jones’s farm, sometime in August, if memory serves. Chris, a Charles Sturt University alumnus and a rising star in the film industry, had generously offered his place. His house, a treasure trove of film props, provided the perfect backdrop for our gathering. But first, we had a farm to tame! Chris, busy with his film commitments (including a stint as the “animal department co-ordinator” on “Babe”!), had left us with a rather overgrown property. A weekend working bee ensued, with much grass-mowing and frantic tidying. As the day of the party approached, anxieties swirled. How many people would dare to show up? Would the police raid us? Those fears were real back then. But in the end, around fifty people arrived, and the atmosphere was electric with relief and joy.

FORMING A GROUP WASN’T EASY THEN

Richard Roberts, one of our early members and a social work professor at Charles Sturt University, captured the essence of our struggle in a powerful article titled “Men Who Have Sex With Men In The Bush – Impediments to the formation of gay communities in some rural areas.” Several of us were interviewed for the piece, sharing our experiences of navigating the challenges of building a community in the face of stigma, prejudice, and the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Richard’s research shed light on the unique difficulties faced by LGBTQ+ people in rural Australia during those tumultuous times.

The Rural Outreach Project under the auspices of the AIDS Council of NSW is making an important contribution to facilitating the formation and consolidation of gay networks and organisations in rural NSW.

“Men Who Have Sex With Men In The Bush – Impediments to the formation of gay communities in some rural areas” by Richard Roberts, Rural Society Volume 2, Number 3, 1992.

THE ONLY GAYS IN THE VILLAGE

During my own initiation to the bush I was confronted by a solicitor (engaged for conveyancing) informing me that a senior manager of my workplace was ‘a practising homosexual’ and that he did not approve of ‘practising homosexuals’. 

“Factors Influencing the Formation of Gay and Lesbian Communities in Rural Areas”, Richard Roberts, National AIDS Bulletin April 1993, Volume: 7, Issue: 3

Tony was born in Sydney in 1963 and moved to Wagga Wagga, a small town in regional NSW with his family six years later. After his parents separated in 1970 Tony moved in the public housing with his mother and his two younger siblings. Tony explains that while there was a strong Aboriginal community in Wagga Wagga but he was surrounded by white families and they never talked about being Aboriginal. Tony resented his hometown and endured racism and homophobia from other students “who made my life hell” during high school and concluded “out of Sydney it’s just a nightmare if you’re gay”

Group member, Tony Creighton in “HIV Survivors in Sydney: Memories of the Epidemic” by Cheryl Ware.

Incidentally, Tony who died in 2015, was also interviewed for a collection in the National Library https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/6387184 (Recorded on 20 October 2013 in Darlinghurst, New South Wales.) Access closed until 2034. The book by Cheryl Ware also indicates Tony created a documentary, “Black & Out” which documented many of the experiences of Aboriginal men who are gay, which you can watch on SBS on Demand.

I am a 29 year old who wants to come out but doesn’t know how to go about it. My employment while officially recognising gays frowns strongly and prejudices harshly.

RGLSSG correspondence 1995

One night I was walking across the bridge over Wollundry Lagoon. Two drunk guys were on the other side of the road, and one yelled out look, there’s a faggot let’s go bash him up. They didn’t, but the fear was always there.

Allan, Wagga born, quoted in an exhibition about queer history at the Riverina Museum in 2017

MOMENTS FROM THE EARLY DAYS

The following years were a whirlwind of activity. We hosted a vibrant mix of events, from formal gatherings and lively parties to casual coffee meet-ups and thought-provoking discussions. Our community expanded beyond Wagga Wagga, forging connections with LGBTQ+ groups in neighboring towns like Griffith and Albury. For a time, a separate women’s group, “Women Out & About In Wagga,” flourished alongside ours. But we soon realized that unity brought strength and even more fun! In 1994, we officially merged, creating a more inclusive and dynamic community.

In July 1993, the renowned poet, Dorothy Porter began a six-weeks residency at the Wagga Writers Centre at Charles Sturt University. As a fairly well known lesbian at the time, there was a lot of interest around her residency, and she was involved in a number of events.

Sandy is attempting to organise a function so Dorothy is able to meet members of the region’s lesbian community. It will probably be in the form of a pot luck dinner.

RGLSSG Newsletter July 1993

In the Western Riverina people have been getting into the spirit of things by celebrating Christmas in June. A number of people made the long distance trek from Griffith to Ardlethan to attend a dinner early in June. In the Eastern Riverina, the mystery car rally found its way to another equally wintery spot, Adelong in the mountains. It was a wonderful afternoon culminating at lunch at The Old Pharmacy.

RGLSSG Newsletter July 1993

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HIV/AIDS

In the early 1990s, AIDS was still a very big issue for our community.

Two members of the group have participated in the Aids Council’s Rural Outreach Training Project for Gay Men. Issues covered over the two day workshop, Covered, for example safer sex, listening skills, gay identity, beats and discrim ination. An informal gathering and much socialising over the weekend contributed to a sense of camaradare and helped to break down barriers. A highlight of Day 1 was an explanation of the mechanics of HIV, explained in a manner that was both detailed, yet understandable. The trainer also explained how drugs like AZT and ddI help combat the virus. A highlight of Day 2 was a frank discussion of beats in the country, their social and sexual roles. (It wasn’t long, however, before the trainer soon realised he was dealing with experts in the field !!) Another highlight of Day 2 was the opportunity to hear and share the experiences of three men living in the country who are HIV+. Only two days together, but a true sense of belonginess developed from share experience.

Glen Andersson in the RGLSSG Newsletter, December 1992

At the end of 1992, the AIDS Quilt came to Wagga and was hosted at the local office of ABC Radio.

PAULA DENHAM, has recently commenced work as the region’s Sexual Health Nurse. Paula, a registered nurse with six years experience, has been working in Sydney in HIV with gay men and intravenous drug users. She has also worked as a carer for people with HIV and has a personal interest in HIV/AIDS issues. “I have a couple of close friends with AIDS.” she says. She believes “informed choice” is the most important part of her job, giving people information, so they can make choices for themselves.

RGLSSG Newsletter, May 1993

Amidst the growing concern about HIV/AIDS, the local Health Department took a proactive step by establishing a community-based AIDS Task Force. I remember attending a forum chaired by Deputy Mayor John Harding in May 1993. A newsletter from that time paints a stark picture: 50 people in the South West Health Region had either fallen ill or died from AIDS in just three years. The forum, featuring keynote speaker Bill Bowtell, then National President of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, drew a crowd of over 170 people, demonstrating the community’s deep concern and its willingness to confront the crisis head-on

One of the members of the group, Andrew Bishop from Cootamundra, had been living with HIV/AIDS for a number of years. After several years living in Sydney, he returned to his hometown. He wrote a piece about his experiences in the HIV/AIDS journal, “Talkabout”.

Most of the people that I came in contact with believed that the sun was setting, so to speak. I did not have much time left. Well I fooled them. I then joined the Riverina Gay and Lesbian Social and Support Group which has its headquarters in beautiful downtown Wagga Wagga. Just the name brings terror to ones heart. Wagga Wagga. I then attended their social event of the year. The Christmas party. That was fun. That was where I met the lovely Glen who was to become my friend and love. This opened me to the endless social events on the Riverina Gay and Lesbian Support Groups calendar. (These events being private and public). I quickly formed a group of friends. They are a good lot of fellas and girls, as we say here in the outback. But the support and help for someone positive like myself is minimal. I have been very lucky. But I have spoken to some boys in the area that feel lonely and isolated. We don’t have the support groups as Sydney has. Sure, you have family, friends and nursing support, but nobody knows how you feel until you’re there yourself. To be able to talk about your anxieties, fears and doubts to someone who knows.

Bishop, A. (1994), ‘A Wagga Boy’s Own Story’, Talk About, July, 30 – 31 (full article here)

It was so nice to be reminded of those days and the amazing work you and the others did as well to support the development of the group down in Wagga Wagga. I think it is so great you are writing this piece and ensuring all the time, effort and good work associated with the group is recorded for history. It is important to validate gay history and especially so in rural and regional areas.

Nigel Carrington, former Rural Outreach Officer, ACON in an email, February 2021.

1993 WAGGA WAGGA GETS A GAY AND LESBIAN POLICE LIAISON OFFICER

Wagga is the latest in a growing number of towns to have its own gay and lesbian police liaison officer. The appointment of Kevin Nisbett (his name is not for general public consumption, but for the gay and lesbian community alone… we’re not sure at this stage why, though) was made last week by Chief Inspector, Kevin Wales. A consultant to the NSW Police Force on Gay and Lesbian issues, Sue Thompson, says the appointment recognises the growing and more visible community now found in Wagga. She says it is not in response to any specific concern raised by either the community or the police force. There are many officers now throughout NSW (including a female detective in Albury). Only once, says Sue Thompson, has an appointment “failed”. Although not knowing the officer personally she says, in general terms, the job goes to “a high ranking community-minded officer”.

The appointment of the officer was announced on Prime TV by Kevin Wales in terms of “a need to clean up Collins Park”. Sue Thompson has confided that she is disappointed with such comments and would be willing to raise the issue if comments like these continue. Within two days of the appointment, a “raid” was conducted on Collins Park. There was, apparently, only two people in the park (typical!!!) and they fled quickly.

RGLSSG Newsletter, May 1993

Sgt Nisbett reports the “in house discussions” were often heated, especially amongst the younger police officers. “The older police officers have been around, they are more understanding”, he said. There was, from sections, a lot of resistance to the appointment of a gay and lesbian liaison officer.

Kevin Nisbett was the first Gay & Lesbian Liaison Officer appointed to Wagga Police. RGLSSG Newsletter, June 1993

Over the next couple of years, the importance of gay and lesbian liaison officers increased, including the appointment of one officer who was actually the sister of av group member.

1993 – THE GAY AND LESBIAN CHOIR RETURNS

In August 1993, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir came back to Wagga Wagga to defend their title

Sadly, this time around they didn’t win, they came third. But there was still a lot of joy in seeing them compete. The choir invited members of the Riverina Gay and Lesbian Support & Social Group back to a local restaurant to join with them in a joyous celebration of food and song.

1994 – WAGGA’S FLOAT IN MARDI GRAS

Memories of the absolute thrill of marching along Oxford Street and Flinders Street are with me still.

“Was that you in the paper today, James?” The question came as a surprise, casually tossed out by a talkback caller on my morning radio show in early 1994. I was the host of ABC Riverina, the local station, and while my sexuality was no secret in Wagga Wagga, I’d never explicitly addressed it on air. For a split second, my mind raced. How should I respond, especially knowing the caller was an older, conservative farmer—a man whose daughter I’d once lived with! Taking a deep breath, I simply said, “Yeah, it was. I had a great weekend.” His reply? “Good onya, James. Good to hear.” A small exchange, perhaps, but one that signaled a subtle shift in the landscape of acceptance.

THE DAILY ADVERTISER

Under the previous editor, Graham Gorrell, the “Daily Advertiser” had a track record for anti-homosexual articles. But when Michael McCormack (in 2021, the Deputy Prime Minister) took over, the anti-gay editorials and articles increased both in sheer volume and in the severity of their tone.

These articles came to national attention thanks to the ABC-TV program, “Media Watch”. The program reported that on May 1, 1993, Michael McCormack had published a column ‘from the editor’s desk’ demonising homosexuality.

A week never goes by anymore that homosexuals and their sordid behaviour don’t become further entrenched in society.

Daily Advertiser, Wagga Wagga, May 1, 1993

The Federal Minister for Health, Senator Graham Richardson, along with AIDS organisations and gay groups, attacked the Editor of a Wagga Wagga newspaper this week over an editorial accusing gay men of being responsible for AIDS.,Richardson described the Daily Advertiser 1 May Editorial as being demonstrative of ignorance “beneath contempt”.

Capital Q Weekly Friday, May 7, 1993 p. 3

The Australian Press Council has dismised complaints by Dr Richard Roberts (of Charles Sturt University/University of NSW) against “The Daily Advertiser” involving Michael McCormack’s famed “Sordid Homosexuality – it’s becoming more entrenched” editorial. In dismissing the complaint, the Press Council ruled the article was clearly labelled “comment” and said that many of the alleged inaccuracies in the columns are the gist of considerable public debate and the newspaper would have been at fault had it stifled opposing views. The Press Council said the Daily Advertiser deserves commendation for the enormous amount of space it devoted to readers’ views on the issue – some 50 letters published in the following three weeks, most of them vigorously critical of the columns. Dr Roberts, who was recently in Wagga Wagga, commented that he did not even attend the hearing into the case; it was scheduled at a time when the Press Council knew that he was overseas.

RGLSSG Newsletter, November 1993.

The campaign by the local newspaper against the gay and lesbian communities of Wagga Wagga was relentless.

In 1995, RGLSSG member, Chris Jones took action against the newspaper in the NSW Antidiscrimination Board and won, with an undisclosed settlement. I have tried to obtain details of the settlement, without luck, as all correspondence to the board is confidential to the parties involved.

1994 – THE “SECRET BALL”

I remember seeing the front page of “The Daily Advertiser” on Thursday, May 26, 1994 and thinking “Oh my God”. The phones ran hot amongst group members, as we saw news of our “secret ball” as the main story on the front page of the paper.

The article, a sensationalized piece about a “secret gay ball,” had attributed its information to a supposed male sex worker named “Dallas.” None of us in the RGLSSG knew this “Dallas,” nor had he ever attended our events. It turned out he was my neighbor! I confronted the journalist, Ken Grimson, about the lack of fact-checking, especially given my own visible role in the community. “We had a float in Mardi Gras, and I was on page three of the paper!” I exclaimed.

His response was unsatisfactory, to say the least. The fallout was immediate. Our original venue canceled, though thankfully another restaurant stepped up. But the article had ignited a firestorm. City Councillor Jim Eldridge launched into a homophobic tirade at the next council meeting, and the newspaper continued to fan the flames with inflammatory articles and letters, seemingly determined to bully us into submission. They even claimed Jim Eldridge received “death threats,” adding fuel to the fire.

Though I don’t recall the exact detail, I have been reminded the front page article had one effect: the venue we had planned pulled out. Another restaurant contacted the group, sympathetic to our situation, and offered their venue as a replacement.

The “secret ball” article ignited a firestorm of bigotry. Wagga Wagga City Councillor Jim Eldridge, seizing on the opportunity, launched into a homophobic tirade at the May 30th City Council meeting. His hateful remarks, predictably plastered across the front page of the local newspaper, were just the beginning. Over the next few weeks, The Daily Advertiser became a platform for prejudice, publishing inflammatory articles and letters to the editor aimed at bullying us into canceling our event. They even published claims that Jim Eldridge had received “death threats,” a tactic seemingly designed to paint us as aggressors and further stoke public fear.

The “Black and White” dance party was ’ blessed with many of those touches of country hospitality that are, sadly, missing from your run of the mill Sleaze Balls and Mardi Gras dance parties., I sneakily suspect that the “Black and White” ball was the kind of show that even the most cynical of PanDA readers from country stock would havé wanted their Yr 12 formal or sisters’ 21st to be really like.,In the face of formidable and less than supportive rhetoric from local politicians and the editor of the Wagga Daily Advertiser – the organisation is a real credit to. the spirit of the local community. All power to them.

Paul Lehman in PANDA (Canberra) Vol 3, Iss 5

SYDNEY SUPPORT

A forum was held a week later (July 11, 1994) at the Riverina Playhouse. Though the title seems a little old fashioned now – “Sexual Orientation: Does It Inhibit A Positive Contribution To The Community” – it was perfect for the time. The guest speaker was Stevie Clayton from the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby. A few weeks later on July 23, there was another “forum” held, involving people from the AIDS Council and the Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby.

We thought that everybody in Sydney was too comfortable within their own ghetto, and didn’t really care about anyone or anything living beyond the Great Dividing Range, or even know that gays and lesbians existed in the country.

Allan Briggs, Letter in Capital Q, Friday, Feb. 10, 1995

Many years later, at ANZAC Day in Turkey of all places, I ran into Stevie Clayton and spent some time with her over a couple of days. As I recall, her partner was a journalist at the Sydney Morning Herald, and I was there for the ABC. She smiled with surprise when I mentioned our meeting in Wagga Wagga all those years earlier. I hope I was able to convey the appreciation we all felt for the support she and others had provided to us.

Whilst i have always remembered with fondness my visit to Wagga in 1994 with Stevie and Susan your article jogged my memory about some of the detail. Up until then we hadn’t been out of the inner city very often on behalf of GLRL but that visit prompted a number of other outreach visits to suburban and regional areas

David Maclachlan, who was Co-convenor GLRL commenting in “Lost Gay Sydney”, Facebook 2021.

I think, like David, I have fond but not detailed memories of visiting Wagga Wagga. I guess 26 years does make the memories fade a bit, but your blog post helped me to remember a bit.

Stevie Clayton, former Co-convenor, GRL in an email 2021.

1994 – PRISCILLA NIGHT

Thursday, the 27th of November will go down in local history as the evening that the local community celebrated in style, with a very public display of taffeta, sequins, lyrca, stilettos and fishnets as the RGLSSG premiered, “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of The Desert” to a packed house in the Plaza Twin Cinema, with part proceeds going to special olympics (being held in Perth).

RGLSSG Newsletter, November 1994

LOTS OF ACHIEVEMENTS

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

My time in Wagga and my active involvement with the RGLSSG ended in early 1995. Though I participated in the 1995 Mardi Gras float and returned for occasional events, including Chris Jones’s funeral in 2002, my contributions faded. The story from that point on belongs to those who remained. Recently, while exploring the archives at Charles Sturt University, I was astounded by the group’s accomplishments. The collection, donated by Wayne Ditchfield, revealed a thriving organization with a phone support line, substantial funding, and a polished newsletter (a far cry from my humble dot matrix creations!). It’s inspiring to see how the seeds we planted blossomed into something truly remarkable.

WAGGA WAGGA NOW

It’s wonderful to see there’s still a local group called “Rainbow Riverina”, and they’re still doing awesome things, like holding their own “Mardi Gras”.

CORRECTIONS / UPDATES / CONTRIBUTIONS

This article is my own personal story, as I’m remembering it almost thirty years later. In hindsight, there’s not enough in the story about the involvement of women (even though there were lots of lesbians involved in the group) and nothing about the trans community. That’s both a reflection of the times, and of my own experiences as a gay man not being able to fully reflect on that story. If you can contribute, please do, to make this a more fully rounded story.

If you’re reading this, and think I have gotten something wrong, or have missed something, please drop me a note, and I’ll make the correction. Also, if you have some photographs/stories to contribute, I’d really love to see them too. You can write to me at james @ jamesobrien.id.au, or leave a comment below.

This will be an article that is updated as new information comes to hand.

MANY THANKS

Glen Andersson and Allan Briggs for their contributions, both photographic and in memories.

Wayne Ditchfield for donating the collection to Charles Sturt University, and many thanks to the CSU Archives (esp Jillian Kohlhagen) for allowing me to take a look through the collection.

Nick Henderson for pointing me in the direction of Australian Queer Archives, https://www.facebook.com/AQuArchives/

David Laidley from the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir, for his assistance in helping organise interviews with current and former members of the choir who visited Wagga Wagga in 1992/1993, including Nat Crane, Meredith Night and Tonina Harvey.

PS