You remember how “in the olden days” you were limited by the number of photographs you could take on a roll of film? It was generally 12, 24 or 36. I remember when a roll of 36 film was expensive to buy, and even more expensive to process. As a child, I would generally only be able to afford 12, and occasionally 24. 36 seemed like such a luxury to a young boy from the country.
Fast forward to 2017, and today I went on a photowalk where we were instructed to take no more than 36 shots. “Only 36?”, I thought to myself, adding “This will be a challenge since I regularly take 80 to 100 shots in a single day”. The Local Guides Meetup Sydney Photowalk was one of a number of similar walks held around the world today with the same common instruction.
Today, a group of about a dozen wandered from Milson’s Point, to Cockatoo Island, to Darling Harbour, Barrangaroo, Circular Quay, and many points in between. It was a fun day, hanging out with a couple of blokes I already knew, but also getting to meet some new people I would never have otherwise had the chance to meet.
I’d have to be honest and say most of the people on our photowalk had no intention of sticking to the 36 rule. Many of us had participated previously in photowalks, and many of us were “snap happy” to say the least. Even so, it was good to have in our mind the idea that you should think more carefully about the photographs, rather than take hundreds, as is so easy in the days of digital photography.
“I was in Sweden once, and it was minus twenty three, and I don’t think I was this cold”, I whispered into the ear of a friend. She has also been to Sweden and knew exactly what I meant, as we stood on the Bondi headland, as the icy winds and rain combined.
In some respects, today’s weather conditions further helped to bring to life the story of the murder of Ross Warren. Ross was probably the most well-known of the many men who were bashed to death, or thrown off the headland during the 1990s. Though his body has never been found, we were reminded today it was an icy cold mid-winter night in July 1990 when he went missing.
Bondi Coastal Walk
The 1990s seems to have been a peak period for gay hate crime in Sydney, with a number of “gay bashing gangs” operating throughout the city.
Though it’s thirty years ago, I still remember quite strongly, the first time I met Ross. He worked as a cameraman at Channel 8 in my hometown of Lismore. I would often see him around the city, and in particular, around Channel 8, which is where the community radio station I volunteered at, during my teenage years was based. I was very excited when I discovered the hot-looking cameraman from Channel 8 was actually gay.
Though he was the most “famous” of all those killed, he was only one of an estimated eighty-eight gay-hate-crime-related deaths.
Today I participated in a “walking tour” covering these deaths.
Delivered by Greg Callaghan, author of the true crime novel Bondi Badlands, the tour provides a detailed insight into the lives of four gay men who sadly went missing or lost their lives nearby Marks Park, Bondi.
Intended to raise awareness and contribute to community healing, the tour explores local and LGBTIQ history and sheds light on the circumstances that gave rise to the wave of violence during the 1980’s and 1990’s and pays respect to the many lives impacted
There were moments on the tour which were upsetting, especially the brutality of the crimes. It was awesome to have this called out early in the piece, and for the offer of counselling and support, in case it brought up “issues”.
Despite the weather, I’d highly recommend this excellent walking tour led by Greg, and by Michael from ACON (the AIDS Council of NSW).
Bondi Coastal Walk
And wouldn’t you believe it, with cold weather, at the peak of mid-winter, my thirty year old heater has stopped working. I think I was in Wagga Wagga when I bought it, and it’s helped me through many winters since. But here it is, Saturday night, and I’m sitting in the lounge room with track-pants, a sloppy joe, and doona wrapped around me. The glamorous life!
But that’s not too bad, it’s been a busy week.
When my friend Sue sent me a text, asking if I would like to see Megan Hilty perform at the Sydney Opera House, right away I said yes.
“Who?”, you ask. Would it help if I mentioned Megan played the role of Ivy in the terrific series, “Smash”? Set in New York, the series was about about a planned, albeit il-fated musical on the life of Marilyn Monroe. Though the odds were seemingly against her for much of the series, Ivy eventually gained the role.
Megan herself seems to be “Broadway” through and through also. During her Monday night show, she talked about how she had always wanted to an actor and performer. Over about 90 minutes, she sang a combination of well-known and less well-known songs from musical theatre.
And what a voice! Though she had amplification, she could probably have filled the Concert Hall without it. Awesome show.
Megan Hilty plays Sydney Opera House
This week, Sue and I also went to see a play called, “Closer”, put on by final year students at NIDA, the National Institute of Dramatic Art. The play, set in New York, focuses on the intermingling lives of four people, and their complex personal relationships.
I really like going to see the final year productions by NIDA students, as it’s always interesting to see emerging talent, and wondering who will be “the next big thing”.
I had no plans for the night until I received a last-minute phone call from a friend and colleague visiting Sydney from Darwin. She is actually related to Ben Graetz, the show’s producer and host, and she asked if I’d like to join her for the performance. Although I initially thought I’d be staying in, I quickly changed my mind—and I’m certainly glad I did.
The show, A Night of Rock and Roll with Bogan Villea, was a brilliant showcase of Indigenous drag and Blak pride with a distinct rock edge. Ben, a First Nations LGBTIQ+ performing icon who also goes by the name Miss Ellaneous, performed tonight as his hilarious alter ego, Bogan Villea. The character is a fantastic creation—the lovechild of Barnesy, Farnesy, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. It felt like what would’ve happened if AC/DC had ridden their flatbed truck from Lygon Street all the way to Darwin and picked up Divine along the way.
Bogan Villea
Having lived and worked in Darwin at various periods since the late 1990s, it is a place I really love, so Ben’s performance was packed with authentic Territory flavour that really hit home for me. There were some great references to life up north, from the strippers at the Humpty Doo Tavern to the legendary (and now sadly closed) gay bar, Throb. It was a wonderful celebration of the “bogan” culture Ben grew up with—listening to rock anthems of the 80s and 90s with an Aboriginal mother and a European father.
Unlike typical drag shows, there were no Whitney Houston numbers; instead, we cranked up the volume for everything from INXS and The Divinyls to AC/DC. I told my friend that I knew the words to every single song, and I wasn’t alone—the audience really got involved in the singalongs.
A standout performer was Scott Hunter, who delivered a fantastic rendition of Never Tear Us Apart, backed by a cast of some of Australia’s finest singers and a cracking live band.
The audience was a diverse mix, many in the 50 to 60+ age bracket, and the atmosphere was electric.
One of the highlights was the bogan haircut competition; the guy standing second from the left in the lineup ended up taking out the top prize.
It was a fabulous night out at the Wharf Theatre, and I’m so pleased I traded a quiet night at home for such a great night at the theatre.
Though many people like to go away for long weekends, I’m far more inclined to be a home-body. It’s quiet and relaxed. And so, I’m starting the third day of the Queen’s Birthday Weekend with nothing much planned, aside from a very vague idea I’ll go for a swim, and maybe engage in some more “binge television”.
The weekend started on Friday night watching a couple of episodes of the new “Tales Of The City” on Netflix. “Tales Of The City” has been part of my life for almost thirty years. I first read/devoured the books while I was in hospital after an appendectomy. Along the way, they’ve been turned into TV shows, and now, there’s a further update.
The new series is “inspired” by the books of Armistead Maupin. Anna Madrigal is now 90 years old; after an unfulfilling marriage, Mary-Ann has returned to San Francisco; Michael has taken up with a younger man, and Dee Dee seems to be following in the semi-alcoholic footsteps of her mother. There’s also a new generation coming through, with Shawna (the daughter of Mary-Ann’s school friend, Connie Bradshaw) and others, taking on a central role.
Also on the weekend, I went to see the film, “My Big Gay Italian Wedding”, currently screening at Palace Cinemas. The film’s title is exactly what it is. There are elements of comedy and farce in the film (the film’s drag queen offers to dress up in drag to imitate one of the men’s mother who refuses to attend), and the closing scene demonstrates strongly the film’s theatrical background (I won’t give it away), but ultimately it’s a sweet love story. It’s in Italian with subtitles. I’d recommend it.
Then on Saturday night, I went to see Double J’s Tim Rogers and others perform Bohemian Nights at the nearby Giant Dwarf Theatre. The conceit for the show was that Tim was a radio presenter in a country town, doing talkback, cricket scores, with musical and interview guests. Again, I enjoyed it very much. Also, recommended.
Tim RogersGeorgia MooneyTim RogersBohemian Nights at Giant Dwarf
Yesterday was also equally social, catching up with a couple of old school friends for a roast lunch at the Duck & Olive (Sunday Roast $19.99 – very tasty), and then, where the two groups combined, a couple of beers with some newer friends at The Carrington.
So yeah, a day of doing not so much on the Queen’s Birthday Holiday, may not be such a bad thing!
My friends Grant, Graeme and Gustav enjoying the show from the front row.
The world is far too small.
I was just going through some clips on Youtube of one of my favourite bands, Alcazar.
They’re a Swedish pop group whose most successful hit song in Australia was “Crying At The Discoteque”. It’s also one of my all-time favourite songs.
They also did a terrific cover of “This Is The World We Live In”.
And I just came across some amateur footage of them taken in Stockholm this week and guess what?
My friends Grant and Graeme can both be seen (back of their heads), enjoying the show from the front row.
Graeme has written a brief note about on his blog about meeting Petra, by the way…
Petra Mede sat at our table during the show – I was subtle: ‘OH MY GOD, YOU’RE PETRA MEDE, YOU HOSTED MELODIFESTIVALEN THIS YEAR, YOU WERE FANTASTIC!’ Like I said, real subtle. Petra ate calimari and had a coke while sitting with us and watchinbg Magnus. I asked her for a photo later and she asked about coming from Australia etc. Told her that we watched Melodifestivalen final in a pub in Sydney on the big screen. She is a genuinely lovely lady.
It’s lunchtime on Saturday. After a few glorious days in Perth – the first few days in a couple of months that I HAVEN’T needed a jacket in the daytime, it’s pretty overcast today, although the sun keeps shining through from time to time. Yes, Spring has well and truly arrived and I’m with the sudden realisation that I have only three months left in Perth.
This, of course, means there’s a lot to squeeze in if I’m going to make the most of my time here. And I have visitors, with Sue, Colin and Damien all coming throughout October. Actually I received an email from Damien this week telling me that he’d booked his flights to Broome for the last week of October. Although it will be reasonably humid when we’re there, I think it’s going to be a great experience.
I spent a fair bit of last weekend involved in our stand at WA On Show, an exhibition celebrating the 175th anniversary of European settlement in WA, co-inciding with the opening of Perth’s new Convention Centre. The Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, the $220 million world-class facility set to open in August 2004, is destined to become one of Perth’s largest and most important landmarks. WA on Show, the event created to open the Centre, will showcase the best of Western Australia. It will be one of the most significant events in the history of the State. On the evening of Thursday 26 August 2004 a reception for 3,000 local, national and international political, community and business leaders will formally mark the opening of the state’s newest icon. At 9.00 am on Friday 27 August 2004 the doors will open for WA on Show, five-day event created to provide the people of Western Australia with the opportunity to see and experience the new venue for free. After three days of full on work, by 5pm last Saturday though, I was well and truly over it. Still, opening night drinks made up for things and our broadcasts were very successful.
This week I went to have a look at a new apartment. Unfortunately, the man who owns the property in which I’m living has arrived back from overseas travel and would like his home back. As much as I love living in this place, I’m open to the idea of moving and so I had a look at another apartment which I can have as a short-term lease. Although there are some aspects of the apartment I really love, such as its proximity to the city, the views, nice furnishings etc, I am a little worried that it’s “too dark” and that, come summer, I might miss some of the creature comforts of this place, including the swimming pool and the large balcony. I haven’t decided yet.
No plans for today. Although I have some work to do this weekend, I’m trying to have today off… so if anyone from work reads this, please leave me alone today! Tomorrow night I’m out for dinner and a few more interesting things are planned for the next week.
Wonderful!
These blogs are REALLY good James!
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks! Even included a forward promote before the photos. :)
Interesting photos, James.
Thanks!!