Objects 1983

Catalogue / Memoir
Introduction Pictures Objects Animations

OBJECTS are individual things and installations of many things.

1949----   1950----   1951----   1952----   1953----   1954----   1955----   1956----   1957----   1958----   1959----   1960----   1961----   1962----   1963----   1964----   1965----   1966----   1967----   1968----   1969----   1970----   1971----   1972----   1973----   1974----   1975----   1976----   1977----   1978----   1979----   1980----   1981----   1982----   1983----   1984----   1985----   1986----   1987----   1988----   1989----   1990----   1991----   1992----   1993----   1994----   1995----   1996----   1997----   1998----   1999----   2000----   2001----   2002----   2003----   2004----   2005----   2006----   2007----   2008----   2009----   2010----   2011----   2012----   2013----   2014----   2015----   2016----   2017----   2018----   2019----   2020----   2021----   2022----   2023----   2024----   2025----   2026----  

Creative creatures

Circa 1983 Zoo dance
Directed by Lynden Nichols.

Me (Lisa / Euphausia):
Hi Lynden, Please tell more about this performance I worked on with you at the Melbourne Zoo. When was it? What was your role? Were you the brush turkey? I made some of the costumes but you made you own as I recall. Who are the people in the photos? What roles did they play?

She (Lynden / Otter):
It would have been around 1983 or so. We, me, David Wells, Sian Roberts and Peter Trotman performed the zoo's first twilight show. I was the director, and yes, I was also a brush Turkey whilst Peter was a graceful brolga. We had many dances - me as a trapeze flying otter, David as a Cape hunting dog, Sian as a peacock, a giraffe trio, giant tortoise dance, kangaroo dance. I went on to develop an animal observation and dance based program for disabled kids which I ran through the Zoo's education centre for 18 years. It was highly successful with a waiting list and so much fun.

In con. June 2026

Inspired by country, Barbara Weiss choreographs and performs. I make her sets and costumes.

My daughter Kate and I play house.

My mother Jean and I sew dolls.
1983 Puppet box
Ex Powell Street Gallery
Private collection Melbourne.

1983 Puppet play 01
Drawing in journal
Private collection Melbourne.

1983 Puppet play 02
Drawing in journal
Private collection Melbourne.

On February 8 the big dust storm swept over Melbourne. I was with my daughter Kate at the Harold Holt swimming pool. The sky was thick with deep red dust. A bloody sun shone through like rust.

EVENTS

3 February: Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser is granted a double dissolution of both houses of parliament for a double dissolution election for 5 March. On the same day Bob Hawke replaces Bill Hayden as federal ALP leader.

8 February - A severe dust storm sweeps through Melbourne and deposits an estimated 1,000 tonnes of topsoil on the city.

16 February - The Ash Wednesday bushfires in Victoria and South Australia claim the lives of 72 people and destroys over 2,000 homes in one of Australia's worst ever fires.

21 February - The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) endorses the Prices and Incomes Accord drawn up jointly with the Australian Labor Party.

23 February - Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser's claim that people's savings would be safer under the bed than in the bank exposes him to ridicule, including Bob Hawke's riposte, "But that's where the Commies are!".

Ref. Wikipedia