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Date Posted: 2003-08-04 17:15:48
Attn: June Moorhouse
I read your article in Artwork with great interest. Thankyou for marking this history – it’s a great article. Good luck with your Fellowship.
I wanted to respond but wasn’t sure what ‘thread’ to discuss – however a few things have happened in the last few weeks that make me want to connect with you.
I lived and worked in those early days of ccd – the ‘development’ of community cultural development in Fremantle - although we didn’t call it (ccd) that in those days. Community arts or even political street theatre (possible even agit prop?) were the terms we used. I was active in co-founding Desperate Measures, in 1976/77, a political street theatre group which then became a community theatre group. Eventually members left, went interstate and/or on to other things but I think it worth mentioning that some of the last members of Desperate Measures went on to form Deckchair (but that’s another story). Desperate Measures was very visible and active from 1977 to 1980 or so.
I loved seeing the photo you used of Desperate Measures in your article but was disappointed that there wasn’t any (or more) discussion of how important a group like this was at that time in Fremantle and to its cultural development. Perhaps that’s another story and not part of your research.
If you are interested in following that thread further I can give you some names of people still living in the area to follow up.
I’m now working at CAN SA so you can contact me here if you are interested.
Another reason for posting this now is that very recently, tragically, another founding member of Desperate Measures died. Duncan Campbell died in New Orleans – where he was following his dream, living and playing piano. Duncan was instrumental in inspiring many of us to join in song, dance and silliness and be active, politically, on the streets of Fremantle and Perth in the late 1970/80’s. He came to Perth from Queensland, as part of the Popular Theatre Troupe for the 1976 Perth Festival and stayed. He loved Fremantle and with a group of other like minded activists/entertainers moved into a large old house in Ord Street, Fremantle opposite the jail. This became the Desperate Measures headquarters for many years. That period is well documented (I think Desperate Measures’ history was archived and put into the Batty (?) Library). Many of the members are still around Freo and/or still active in the ccd sector.
So in memory of Duncan Campbell I’d like to pay tribute to the long lasting contribution of the many artists who were inspired by and in turn inspired the cultural development of Fremantle.
Ollie Black
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