[Gadsden Family Home Movie Collection: Reel 145]

The Gadsden Company has a long and proud history of manufacture, dating back to its foundation by Jabez Gadsden in 1879. The company pioneered tinplate printing in Australia, and produced the first printed can the country had seen. By 1936 the company had twelve factories spread throughout Australia and New Zealand.

The company’s success allowed two generations of Gadsden family men – Stanley Gadsden and his son Ronald – to pursue their interest in amateur filmmaking (a relatively expensive hobby for the time). The two cameramen captured the family’s children, homes, many of its major events and holidays on film.

A collection of the films made by these Gadsden family photographers has been donated to ACMI by Chris Gadsden (Ronald’s son). The films comprise a fascinating assortment of imagery that provides a window into bygone days and customs.

This film shows yachts sailing around a spot in (most probably) Port Phillip Bay and a school swimming competition.

This film was originally made using 16mm film.

Selected highlights list:
00:04:19:00 yachts racing
00:04:39:00 boats and yachts berthed on the sand
00:04:40:00 single person yachts on the water
00:03:03:00 indoor pool and swimmers
00:03:15:00 students assembling by the pool in readiness for swimming
00:03:18:00 swimmers in competition
00:03:58:00 relay in the pool