For at least ten minutes today I watched a young woman attempt to take a selfie. She tried portrait. She tried landscape. She did a complete 360 twirl to find the right background. She fluffed her hair, applied lipstick and makeup, and tried all manner of facial expression. Eventually she got the shot she wanted, or at least I hope she did. But honestly, it took forever.
Chorizo at Chiquita Corner Bar in Madrid
For my part, I was sitting just metres away having a late lunch at the Chiquita Corner Bar. One of those late lunches were you eat, drink, and watch the world go by. It was the epitome of holiday relaxation.
Due to its proximity to Plaza Mayor, I thought Chiquita was going to be one of those overpriced tourist traps. You know, a great place to watch people, but with poor service, and average over-priced food. How wrong I was. The food was excellent (the best chorizo I’ve had in my life). The service was friendly, but also understated. There was no one staring over at me with that look of “can you please just eat up and move along”. No, it was nothing like that. It was excellent, and I’d highly recommend it.
The only disappointing thing about the experience was the group of four next to me, all of whom smoked. Or should I say, all of whom had cigarettes. That’s the thing I’ve never understood. People light up cigarettes, have an occasional puff, but for the most part let it burn, and then ash it on the floor, as they annoy people like me with their smoke. A small misery, I guess, for such an excellent location.
For me, it was a day of gentle exploration and relaxation, and looking for interesting sights to photograph. I managed to clock up well over 20,000 steps.
There were lots and lots of people around. Many of them were carrying, or were draped in Spanish flags, and there were lots and lots of flags draped from windows. Though I read there was to be a protest in the city AGAINST Catalonian independence, I didn’t see much evidence of anything “organised”. I guess it was probably just a case of wrong time, wrong place. It will be fascinating to head to Barcelona on Wednesday, the day AFTER the planned declaration of independence.
Late night in Madrid
Mid-evening, I came back to my AirBnB, where I’ve spent a few hours reading and relaxing. I’d probably best describe my new neighbourhood as “Madrid’s answer to Darlinghurst”. There are lots of small, older buildings, in an area which seems to have begun the process of gentrification, though it probably has a way to go. There are lots of small hole-in-the-wall bars which I’ll undoubtedly visit over the next few days, and there’s a good nearby corner-shop, where I picked up some food for the next few days. Until Tuesday at least, this is home.
PS: There are no “public toilets” in Madrid. Also, I haven’t seen many garbage bins.
The hosts for Eurovision 2009. Or are Tom and Nicole back together?
“You know everyone in the UK thinks it’s a joke?”, a bloke I met last night told me of Eurovision.
I actually think there’s a degree of xenophobia in the “Eurovision As Joke” school of thought that you often find with people from the UK, reflecting a deeper series of feelings about England and Europe. But that’s another story, I guess.
Yeah, there are some dud songs, and some woeful performances, but I genuinely the spectacle of it all, and, at a deeper philosophical level, think it’s great that countries can be brought together in a way that doesn’t involve politics or sport. I also think it’s an interesting chronicle of the times, and how the world has changed.
I missed most of last night’s semi-final, but watched tonight’s and enjoyed it very much. My favourites from tonight were the singers from Estonia and Lithuania (power ballads, one with a poperactic feel), and the act from Moldova. By and large, though, I enjoyed most of the songs.
The hosts, on the other hand, were shocking. Phrases like “Victor, you are a very unattractive man” (from Fast Foward) came to mind, as they appeared to be direct from Eurovision Central Casting.
In 2006 the hosts bore a remarkable resemblance to Will and Grace.
For me, the most memorable hosts were the couple from 2006 who bore a remarkable resemblance from Will & Grace.
“Disappointed with Albania’s performance. Better than the national final though x”, came the text message earlier tonight from my mate, Louisa who is even more interested in/aware of Eurovision than I am.
I sent my friend Patrick a text tonight wishing him all the best. Lucky buggar is in Moscow for Eurovision.
And so here it is, Saturday night, I’ve had some pizza and I’m now half-watching ABBA – The Movie for the umpteenth time.
“Life is as good as an ABBA song. It’s as good as ‘Dancing Queen'”.
Late Night Live Labor Party Forum: Phillip Adams, Deidre Grusovin, John Falkner, Andrew Leigh and Rodney Cavalier
Mondays aren’t supposed to be this mentally exhausting, are they?
On top of enjoying my favourite television lineup of Four Corners, Media Watch and QANDA – which is usually wall to wall politics and analysis – I also went tonight to the recording of Radio National’s “Late Night Live” at the Eugene Goosen’s Hall at the ABC.
The whole premise for the night was the almost complete obliteration of the Labor Party at the NSW election this weekend and what it means for the future of left-politics and the Labor Party in particular.
Phillip Adams opened the discussion with a rather interesting observation about how political parties come and go. He noted several examples from the United States including the near obliteration of the Republic Party with Obama’s win, as well as the disappearance of parties in the past including The Whigs, The United Australia Party (which Menzies transformed into the Liberal Party) and so on. As a student of history and politics, this is the stuff I love. Humans aren’t all that good from learning from history. We’re prone to forget things that happened in the past, and very few of us pay much attention to the affairs of life before we were born, sadly. Thus, I love it when someone reminds you that something seemingly cataclysmic now has happened in the past, I find it both re-assuring and enlightening.
The panel consisted of Deidre Grusovin, John Faulkner, Andrew Leigh and Rodney Cavalier, all of whom represent different parts of the Labor Party. Andrew Leigh is a somewhat fresh-faced (and did I say cute?) Member of Federal Parliament who remains optimistic about the future of the ALP, and in particular, the capacity of the ALP to re-invent itself with a heightened degree of democracy. John Faulkner was one of three people response for last year’s “big review” of the ALP, and who thinks there’s a way forward, but isn’t all that optimistic the power structures are in place to allow such reform. And Deidre and Rodney are both just somewhat dissilussioned. Deidre was the long-serving member of State Parliament who was turfed to allow pre-selection for Kristina Keneally, and Rodney Cavalier wrote a book about the problems of the Labor Party a few months ago called “Power Crisis”.
Cavalier’s central thesis is that: the Labor Party has become increasingly disengaged from the grass-roots through a “take-over” by a “political class” of trade union officials, people with a family connection to previous officials, and an all-too-similar approach to selecting candidates. His thesis seems to be the debate about electricity privatisation was the issue which brought these long-term “worrying” trends to a head. Mostly it was a pretty good read, though I did skip a few pages when it got into almost unbearable detail about the history of Labor governments in NSW. And as I read the book, in the back of my mind, I was reminded of a group conversation I’d had recently with a senior Liberal Party figure in NSW who confided: “Look, we should win, but the Liberal Party has a history of fucking things up at the last minute, so you can’t take it for granted”. The next NSW election could be over in 60 minutes, or perhaps it could drag on for weeks, as it did back in 1995.
My soul contribution to the evening was a rather consistent bronchial cough which I’m sure was driving the producers and technical people completely up the wall.
Here’s a link to the podcast.
To be honest, I don’t know if I came out knowing any more than when I went in. But I do like going to public forums like this. I guess that’s why “Big Ideas” is one of my favourite television shows. In the modern world of instant analysis and feedback, and short-term attention spans, it’s nice to go into an environment where people are actually listening to questions and answers and not spending half their time on Twitter (that’s not to decry Twitter, which I do love).
By the time I got home, it was time to organise something to eat, and then catch up with my Monday night favourites. Although it would have been interesting to stay around for Frank Sartor’s appearance on Lateline which I’ve read was rather interesting and amusing, I was mentally pretty exhausted by that time. And so with a glass of wine I caught up with the tonight’s repeat episode of “Absolutely Fabulous”. Now that’s a Monday night!
Have you ever noticed those security cameras in places like clubs and workplaces? For security purposes, they’re meant to capture everyone’s face, but they often miss crucial groups: wheelchair users and people of short stature.
Imagine being photographed entering a venue, but the fixed camera only captures the top of your head or the wall behind you! It’s a comical situation, but it highlights a serious issue: how often accessibility is overlooked in a world designed for able-bodied people.
This is something I never really considered until I spent a few months in a wheelchair last year. Suddenly, I was acutely aware of the barriers that people with disabilities face every day.
One of my first encounters with this reality was on a bus with my two nieces. It was taking me longer than usual to board with my wheelchair, and the driver became impatient. “You know, you could have caught another bus,” he snapped. My nieces and I were taken aback by his harshness. We should have spoken up, but the shock of the moment silenced us.
While most bus drivers have been understanding, that incident made me realize how quickly patience wears thin when faced with something outside the norm. Another issue is that drivers sometimes take off before I’ve had a chance to sit down. My prosthetic leg isn’t always visible, and they don’t realize I need a moment to get settled. On a couple of occasions, I’ve nearly fallen because of this.
Pic by David Cubbin, The Light Room in Surry Hills
It’s frustrating when I board public transport and see young, able-bodied people occupying the designated disability seats. They glance up, see I’m not in a wheelchair or visibly elderly, and return to their phones, assuming I don’t need the seat. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to ask someone to stand. It’s often older people who offer their seat, while younger passengers remain absorbed in their screens.
Just last week, I had to ask twice before someone finally got up from a disability seat on the light rail. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t see you there,” one person mumbled. I couldn’t help but retort that I’d already asked twice.
Now that I’m more mobile, though still with some limitations, I haven’t forgotten what it was like to navigate the world in a wheelchair. It’s a reminder to be more considerate of others.
So, if you’re able-bodied and sitting in a disability seat, please look up every time the bus or train stops. Someone might need that seat more than you do. After all, that’s what the signs are there for. And one day, you might be grateful for that same consideration.
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.
Eternity Documentary 1994 directed by Lawrence Johnston https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109749/Colin’s life as “Wagga’s Mr Theatre” remembered in The Daily Advertiser (10-07-2014).
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.
Stephen Schaefer, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir’s founding Music Director, reflected on the 1992 National Choral Championships in Wagga Wagga as a pivotal moment for the choir. “It was a coming of age,” he shared in a 2021 interview. Facing prejudice and controversy, the choir’s decision to compete under their own name, and their subsequent victory, solidified their identity and purpose. It was a defining moment not only for the choir, but for LGBTQ+ visibility in Australia. (Interview 31/03/21)
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.
Wagga Wagga Daily Advertiser, April 30, 1992
Meredith Knight, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir’s former Secretary, vividly remembers the tense negotiations surrounding the choir’s name leading up to the 1992 National Choral Championships in Wagga Wagga. As the person who filed the application, she had a front-row seat to the organizers’ attempts to pressure the choir into suppressing their identity. What compromises were offered? What strategies did the choir employ to resist? Knight’s recollections offer a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in the choir’s history.
For one woman, the idea of the choir going to Wagga filled her with dread.
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!
“We got a positive reception from the Wagga people… They were very pleased that we were here; they were very pleased that we won,” a choir member shared on ABC Radio’s “The World Today” on August 31, 1992. This statement, however, presents a somewhat rosy picture compared to the experiences of prejudice and resistance the choir also faced during the Championships. It highlights the complex and often contradictory reactions the choir encountered in Wagga Wagga, a community grappling with changing social attitudes.Months later, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir made a bold statement at the 1993 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Marching proudly, they declared themselves “Too Sexy for Wagga,” turning the controversy into a badge of honor. This playful act of defiance, captured in the film “Something to Sing About,” showcased the choir’s resilience and their ability to find humor in adversity.
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.
This is a short radio feature I made about the story.
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.
Some examples of newsletters of the Riverina Gay and Lesbian Support & Social Group
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)
Andrew Bishop, a member of the Riverina Gay and Lesbian Support and Social Group, proudly marching in the 1994 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
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.
“I wanted to attend the forum to learn more about the community and to make myself known to gays and lesbians in the area. Because I was on annual leave, I decided not to go in uniform, – that was probably my biggest mistake”, says Constable Genevieve Graham. When the media gathered in the main street later that afternoon, one announcer happened to mention the words gay and lesbian as the TV camera panned across Graham’s face. Although the announcer went on to say “liaison officer”, apparently hundreds of Wagga residents had already gone into shock. Shock – that such a high profile person, a police officer and a former “Miss Wagga” might actually be a lesbian. For the next few months the young police woman had to endure speculation that she was “one of them”.“Pink Politics & Blue Uniforms” by Jo Clark, Lesbians on the Loose Volume: 6 , Issue: 3 (March 1995)
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
When this scene appeared in the 1995 film, “Something To Sing About”, I blushed. I was the radio presenter he was talking about!. (Used with permission of the film’s producer, Marguerite Grey) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6573608/
Stephen Schafer reflects on the importance of the championships, to have fun, and on the ongoing interest in the choir in Wagga Wagga. (Used with permission of the film’s producer, Marguerite Grey)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6573608/National Choral Championships, Wagga WaggaA still from the film, “Something To Sing About”, about the return to Wagga of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6573608/
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.
Dinner at The Old Wagga Inn. As shared by Gary Procter on Lost Gay Sydney, celebrations in Wagga for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir. That’s me, centre back, in the black pullover. And from Marguerite Grey, the producer of “Something To Sing About” (the documentary which screened on ABC-TV), “I am on the right hand side in the t-shirt with the name of the film on it next to the boom mic operator. The director of the film Martin Daley is in the left hand side of the picture next to Jo Parker on camera I think.” Thanks to David from the SGLC: “The documentary film on the Choir, Something to Sing About, was premiered at a special screening at the Academy Twin Cinema in Paddington on 19 February 1995. It was broadcast on ABC-TV on 1 March 1995 and went on to win the Rouben Mammoulian Award at the Sydney Film Festival in June that year.” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6573608/
1994 – WAGGA’S FLOAT IN MARDI GRAS
Organising the Wagga Wagga float for Mardi GrasWith the ABC recording the Mardi Gras festivities for national broadcast, we faced a dilemma: how to protect the identities of those who weren’t ready to come out on television. Bandanas and low hats were considered, but then Michael McCormack, unwittingly provided a more creative solution. Ian ingeniously enlarged McCormack’s photo from the newspaper and fashioned them into masks, Mardi Gras style! While the intention was to provide anonymity, the excitement of the moment proved too much. Instead of hiding behind the masks, people gleefully waved them at the ABC cameras. Thankfully, as Glen Andersson recounts in his 1994 report for the RGLSSG, no unintended “outings” occurred on the evening news.
Memories of the absolute thrill of marching along Oxford Street and Flinders Street are with me still.
Our Mardi Gras float, proudly representing the Riverina Gay and Lesbian Support and Social Group, made its television debut on ABC’s coverage of the event. Chris Jones, our designated spokesperson, bravely stepped up to the microphone. However, unbeknownst to the viewers at home, Chris was facing an unexpected challenge: the booming bass! “He ended up standing too close to the bass drivers on the float and couldn’t hear the questions being asked of him,” Glenn recounted in his final report. “While it was great for a bit of ambience, it meant that Chris seemed like he was totally out of it during the interview. In fact, he couldn’t hear himself think!” Despite the audio assault, Chris persevered, giving the illusion of composure while battling a sonic maelstrom.Wagga Wagga float in Sydney’s Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 1994, as featured in The Daily Advertiwer 07/03/1994
“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.
And I didn’t wear a mask. In fact, I hardly dressed in costume, as a blue check shirt, moleskins and blunnies were pretty much my day to day “costume”. Pic: Thanks to Glen Andersson
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.
The Daily Advertiser, as featured on Media Watch 10/5/1993
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
Daily Advertiser, May 7, 1993
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.
Daily Advertiser, March 4, 1994Sydney Star Observer 19/10/95
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.
The distinction between the newspaper’s editorial and the advertising departments was evident most days. Seemingly, every day’s paper had advertisements for both male and female escorts, including one called “Dallas”. (Monday 23/05/1994)
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.
“Waggas gay and lesbian community is planning a large ball in July, but the exact date and venue are being kept secret because they fear a backlash from the general public”, the article of May 26, 1994 said.
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.
Daily Advertiser, June 20, 1994. The homophobia in the headline needs no further comment.The much discussed “secret ball” went ahead in July, and the party tickets were dedicated to Jim Eldridge.
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
Media Release following the meeting with ACON and the GLRL
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
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert Premiere in Wagga WaggaRGLSSG President, Wayne Ditchfield at Priscilla, Queen of The Desert premiere in Wagga WaggaAllanah Blush – Priscilla Queen Of The Desert Premiere in Wagga WaggaAn after-party was held at local wine bar, Number 96. Yes, it really was called that! Though the bar is long-gone, the Number 96 sign remains at 96 Fitzmaurice Street. Throughout 1994, Thursday Night Drinks were held regularly in the upstairs, outdoor lounge.
LOTS OF ACHIEVEMENTS
By the end of 1994, and only two years after the formation of the Riverina Gay and Lesbian Support & Social Group, we had achieved a lot, as documented above in a group newsletter.
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 2650 The Closet Years There was another float in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1996.In beautiful recognition of one of the group members from the early 1990s, Andrew Bishop who died from AIDS, they also established an award in his memory.
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”.
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.
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
While researching this article, I stumbled across this from The Daily Advertiser in 1953.
“Oh my god, I’m sure that’s Danny Saucedo”, I thought to myself as I watched the SBS-2 screening of the Swedish film “Ondskan” (“Evil”). A bit of Googling and the IMDB indeed confirmed he was an uncredited “bully” in the film. The scene in which he appears, which is about a third of the way into the film, portrays ritualistic bullying in a Swedish private school in the 1950s.
At the heart of the film is the character of Erik Ponti, who lives with violence both at school and at home, where he is also beaten by his step-father.Arriving at the private school at the age of fourteen or fifteen, he refuses to abide by the hierarchical way in which the school is run. Even though you realise many of the school staff are opposed to the system, the older students, by virtue of rich parents, are able to control the younger students through the detention system, and through systematic and ritualistic bullying.
Danny Saucedo in Ondskan
Erik’s academically-inclined room-mate, Pierre is also the subject of bullying. But unlike Pierre and many young boys who are bullied at school, Erik is good at sports, and more than physically able to defend himself. Erik fights back, both physically and mentally, against the older students. He is a very powerful character. In the end, Pierre decides it’s almost too much to continue with, and Erik also comes undone when he develops a forbidden relationship with one of the school cooks. His mental focus, however, allows him to continue.
Erik och Pierre på Ondskan
It’s a film I enjoyed very much, and in doing a bit of additional research, I discovered it’s based on a very well known Swedish novel, and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 2003. Oh, and of course, it features Danny who went on to become a Swedish pop star, and likely Eurovision Song Contest entrant for Sweden this year. And, who I got to meet a few months ago at Stockholm Pride, when I went up to him and asked if he would be happy to have a photograph with my friend, The Best Judge.
The Best Judge meets Danny Saucedo
The only unfortunate thing about the film was that I had to watch it in two parts. I’d set the film to record last night, as I was at a party, and because it had begun late the last 20 minutes, yes 20 minutes, of the film was chopped. Thank goodness there’s plenty of copies of the film on file-sharing sites both in the original Swedish, and with English language sub-titles.
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Your first time in Spain? We loved Barcelona. Even in May when we were there, lots of apartments were draped in, I assume, the flag of Catalan. If you want to see the interior of Sagrada Familia, there was a two day booking wait when we were there.
Have been doing some research about the various flags. The Catalan flag is yellow and red, but quite different. The Spanish flag is yellow and red, and sometimes has a motif on it. I asked someone about the difference between the plain one and the one with a motif, and he told me “the price”.
I have a great tip for a day trip north of Madrid, go to el Escorial, it’s a beautiful monastery that also served as castle for one of the Spanish kings. In the area it’s not far to the biggest working aqueduct from Roman Empire in Avila. Also the town of Segovia is well worth browsing around in.
Madrileños don’t have any need for public toilets, thats what hidden doorways are for (especially at night after you’ve had a couple). When I first moved here, I was scandalized. Now I just avoid the wetter areas.
A German friend of mine said the same thing about the garbage bins though; they can’t go out until a certain time in the evening in the center. It’s due to regulation (something about not clogging the tiny streets?) and I understand it, but it’s such a pain when you can’t take the trash out before 10pm. I guess thats the price we pay for the cute, winding alleyways.
Your first time in Spain? We loved Barcelona. Even in May when we were there, lots of apartments were draped in, I assume, the flag of Catalan. If you want to see the interior of Sagrada Familia, there was a two day booking wait when we were there.
Have been doing some research about the various flags. The Catalan flag is yellow and red, but quite different. The Spanish flag is yellow and red, and sometimes has a motif on it. I asked someone about the difference between the plain one and the one with a motif, and he told me “the price”.
I have a great tip for a day trip north of Madrid, go to el Escorial, it’s a beautiful monastery that also served as castle for one of the Spanish kings. In the area it’s not far to the biggest working aqueduct from Roman Empire in Avila. Also the town of Segovia is well worth browsing around in.
Thanks Roger. I was looking at a day trip for Monday, and there are several which cover these towns.
Madrileños don’t have any need for public toilets, thats what hidden doorways are for (especially at night after you’ve had a couple). When I first moved here, I was scandalized. Now I just avoid the wetter areas.
A German friend of mine said the same thing about the garbage bins though; they can’t go out until a certain time in the evening in the center. It’s due to regulation (something about not clogging the tiny streets?) and I understand it, but it’s such a pain when you can’t take the trash out before 10pm. I guess thats the price we pay for the cute, winding alleyways.
Awesome comments Joyce. Thanks!!