GOOD VIBES ONLY PT.2

PRIVATE BIN

Canberra’s vanished nightclubs hold a somewhat mystical aura over the city, and none more so than the Private Bin. Located in the Sydney Building on Northbourne Avenue, its dark corners, sticky floors and often under-age patrons were fabled throughout the city. The club opened in the early 1970s and became the place to go for the next 25 years, variously described as ‘glorious’, ‘seedy’, ‘infamous’ and, of course ‘dirty’. At its peak it averaged over 20,000 people a week. As a former DJ recalled ‘People sneaking in … sex in the booths … but as long as you came there and drank, everything was overlooked.’

Like many clubs in the 1980s it went through various iterations – tavern, pub, nightclub – and tried to cater to a range of patrons through its attached (and more sedate) Waffles Piano Bar.

It features heavily (or perhaps hazily) in the memories of Canberrans and visitors who hit the town in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, and its demise signalled a changing of the guard for Canberra’s clubbing culture.

CHICKEN GOURMET

The iconic take away Chicken Gourmet kept Canberra’s late-night revellers fed and watered for over 45 years. Located in Garema Place, it offered the perfect deep-fried or salty snack to hungry party goers. Whether walking between clubs or about to start the long wait in the taxi line, the takeaway was, quite literally, a beacon of light in the night.

Opened in 1970, the store was the first fried chicken shop in the capital. It was taken over by Gerry Sanfrancesco in 1982, and for more than 30 years he served behind the counter, dishing out advice and a smile along with the chips.

However, changing tastes and increased competition from the big franchises saw the shop finally close its doors in late 2017, taking the greasy soul of Canberra’s midnight feasts with it.

IN CANBERRA TONIGHT

The brainchild of local duo Chris Endrey and Meg O’Connell, the variety show ‘In Canberra Tonight’ ran for several years at various venues around the city. The show was a mixture of theatre, comedy, live music, and interviews (with, according to Chris, ‘geniuses and idiots’). It was popular with critics and audiences and was regularly sold out. It celebrated all things Canberra and served to discuss, celebrate and showcase contemporary experiences and perceptions of the city from a variety of perspectives.

It was fun, irreverent and topical, and was part of a wider movement that, far from being embarrassed by our fair capital, embraced all its wonders and eccentricities as worthy of attention and discussion. In this way the show reflected both the growing vibrancy of the Canberra arts scene, as well as a maturing self-perception of the city within the local community.

LIFEGUARD SIGNS

Since the early 1920s generations of Canberrans have swum, splashed and sun-baked along the Cotter river. But fun turned to tragedy in November 1966 when three young Canberra men drowned, and ten people were rescued on the same day after they were swept over the weir at Casuarina Sands swimming area. The shocking deaths led the Royal Life Saving organisation to recommend several changes to the area, and by the end of the year a surf lifesaving group was operating at Casuarina Sands on weekends.

It is quite unusual for lifesaving patrols to operate at inland waterways, and its presence at Casuarina Sands is evidence of the sheer volume of people visiting the area in the 1960s and ‘70s, and its relative inaccessibility in emergency situations.

As other recreational activities gained popularity, visitation at the Cotter declined and the lifesaving service was disbanded in 1981. The Cotter remains, still beautiful, and still dangerous.

THE SANDS KIOSK

Casuarina Sands has been a popular recreation area for locals and visitors for generations. Camping grounds, picnic areas and a kiosk were established in the early 1920s to cater for the increasing number of visitors enjoying the natural surrounds. The original kiosk – known as the Cotter Refreshment Rooms – was housed in an unusual octagonal shaped building with a small outdoor eating area and basic landscaping. The kiosk went through many variations over the years due to flooding, fire and vandalism.  

The final Sands Kiosk at Casuarina Sands opened in 1965, providing food, cold drinks, snacks, tea and coffee. It did a roaring trade in the summer months as locals flooded the area to swim and relax, and was the saviour of many a frazzled parent. But declining patronage and continued vandalism resulted in its closure in 1987.

Since 2015 there has been discussion of building a new kiosk at the site, as Canberrans rediscover the natural beauty and amenity of the Cotter.