Northbridge has been the hub of Perth’s queer identity. It is where our groundbreaking arts festivals constantly redefine what an audience should see. It is the place where our queer pubs and clubs have redefined cabaret and entertainment. It is also the home of all our major cultural resources – here is where you’ll find our major art galleries, our state library, our museum and our soon to be state of the art performance space. Throw in a totally chic burgeoning boutique strip, plus a history crammed full of pink houses and gayer than gay encounters, and Northbridge is a melting pot of stories, hotter than it ever has been.
The Northbridge History Project (NHP) has been created in response to the history of such coloured histories. Led by professional historian Dr Felicity Morel-Ednie Brown, NHP brings together the stories from the 50 plus subcultures that live and thrive in our gorgeous ghetto. Now NHP is looking for you!
Through participation of the pink individual, the project hopes to amass a collection of queer oral histories, photographs, documents, film and other resources, all which will be gathered and then stored electronically. These electronic sources are available to the public via an electronic archive which in turn provides publicly accessible information, plus the core of a curriculum component which is already available in most WA schools.
The NHP is also seeking people who are keen to volunteer their time and effort toward this worthwhile community venture, particularly with their annual History Studies Day fast approaching.
Most importantly though is a call out for the involvement of social history or archive studies students who would like some direct involvement in a government project, particularly students who are looking for somewhere to do their university practicum. For those who have a genuine interest in social history, The Northbridge History Studies Day is on May 18 at The Hellenic Community Hall in – you guessed it – Northbridge.
For those interested in the Northbridge History Project, visit www.northbridgehistory.wa.gov.au or telephone 9222 9305.
