'Moomba' 1972

This silent 16mm film features footage of the 1972 Moomba parade. Filmed at the intersection of Victoria and Swanston Street, opposite the City Baths, the camera follows the parade on its path through the city towards the Shrine of Remembrance.

That year’s Queen of Moomba, Debra Scott, leads the parade on a large decorative float with a white swan at the forefront, seated on a throne of pink petals. The parade then follows, including entertainers, celebrities and decorated floats on flat-bed trucks and cars, showcasing businesses and community groups. Some of the notable floats include Philippine Airlines, Kyneton Historical Centre, Gemini 12, Warburton Tourist Attractions, Theatres of Moscow, the Gold Coast, and a Chinese dragon dance. Towards the end of the parade, the King of Moomba John Farnham appears in a purple velvet suit seated in a horse-drawn carriage.

Content warning: this film includes a brief footage of clown Zig (Jack Perry) in the parade, wearing blackface clown make-up. In 1994 Perry was convicted of sexually assaulting his granddaughter 20 years earlier, and in 1999 Zig and Zag were dethroned from their position as Moomba Monarchs.

Photographed by John Pallaris. Donated to ACMI by Tim Gammon.

This is one of many films digitally preserved by ACMI.

Discover more of the ACMI Collection on our website - https://www.acmi.net.au/works/