[Gadsden Family Home Movie Collection: Reel 34]

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 the Gadsdens at Thredbo and Perisher, ski resorts in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. They and their friends are having fun in very snowy conditions on the slopes, coming and going from their accommodation, the ski lifts, throwing snowballs and wearing examples of circa 1969 skiing outfits. Indoor scenes give an indication of everyday life on these holidays, such as using a fondue set at the dinner table, joking around for the camera whilst preparing for bed and some holiday knitting. There are views of the majestic mountain scenery and of the townships.

This film was originally made using Super 8mm film.

Selected highlights list:
00:03:15:00 snow vehicle with passengers
00:05:30:00 views of the accommodation indicate the depth of the snow and the general snowy conditions
00:11:56:00 one of the Gadsden daughters enjoys a quiet moment of knitting
00:12:30:00 an example of 1970s style fondue sharing at the table
00:13:08:00 Jess Gadsden in the kitchen.