[Gadsden Family Home Movie Collection: Reel 57]

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 captures a trip on the ‘Paddle Steamer Emmylou’ along the Murray River, NSW and Victoria, in 1982.

This film was originally made using Super 8mm film.

Selected highlights list:
00:00:04:00 Jess Gadsden and companions having lunch on the deck of the ‘Emmylou’
00:00:28:00 houses appear on on the riverbank
00:03:13:00 the ‘Emmylou’ flag being explained to passengers
00:03:14:00 buffet 1970s style
00:03:55:00 ‘Paddle Steamer Emmylou’ in full view
00:14:41:00 Jess Gadsden standing on the bank, looking at a weir on the Murray and waving at the camera
00:09:38:00 passengers assisting with loading wood onto the ‘Emmylou’