Subcultures of Friendship, Male Homosexual Lives in Mid-Century Victoria

David and Wayne guide you through Subcultures of Friendship made in a Wartime Melbourne. Wayne Murdoch focusses on Melbourne in the 1920s and 30s. His information is based on the research done for his book Kamp Melbourne in the 1920s and ’30s: Trade, Queans and Inverts. Dr David Gould focusses on the 1940s and 50s sharing with us information gathered while researching his book Survivors and Thrivers - Male homosexual lives in postwar Australia. The talk is facilitated by Dr Graham Willett

Dr David Gould worked as a teacher and counsellor in schools and universities in Australia, France, and Japan. He then joined the business world, as Manager of a two-year business leadership program. David is a co-founder of Bare Elements Entertainment company. He also founded and is Secretary of Carlton Pride, the official LGBTI+ supporter group of the (AFL) Carlton Football Club. Carlton Pride aims to create a safe and inclusive environment for all at AFL games, as well as supporting and building the LGBTI+ community. He holds a BA in English and French, Dip Ed in English as a Second Language, Grad Dip Ed (counselling), MA in Asian Studies, and completed a PhD in 2020. His book ‘Survivors and Thrivers. Male homosexual lives in postwar Australia’ was published in June 2023. David lives in Melbourne with his Japanese partner of 30 years.

Wayne Murdoch has been interested in Australian social history and Queer history for over 30 years. A freelance lecturer and leader of guide tours of the Queer History of Melbourne and Bendigo, his is the author of Kamp Melbourne in the 1920s and ‘30s and The Mystery of the Handsome Man: The Double Life of John Lempriere Irvine among others. During the day he can be found in the La Trobe Rural Health School in Bendigo, where he is EA to the Dean of School and Senior Administration Officer.


Introduced by PMI President Judith Ellis


Talk was held on the 15th of February 2024 and live streamed on YouTube and is available through the link below:
Subcultures of Friendship