Australian BDSM Archives

 

 

A UNITY Project

The Australian BDSM Archive Project, was kicked off by KNOTbound to begin the long and difficult task of collecting Australian BDSM history into a secure and well maintained repository for current and future generations.

It’s understood that the project is of a sensitive nature but we believe that our subculture and its history are unique and important. By collecting artefacts, writings, publications and personal histories and preserving them under conditions set by those that donate them, it’s hoped to preserve something incredibly precious.

The Archives motto is:

We deserve to be remembered

Understanding the enormity of this project, in 2016 KNOTbound embarked on a roadshow across Australia to give Australian BDSM communities a chance to discuss, raise concerns and issues, engage with and support the work of the archives. There was a presentation on the project as well as an explanation of the organisation behind it, an open forum question and answer time and an invitation to the community to add to this national effort.

The communities have showed their support in a number of ways:

  • Attended one of the roadshow events we kicked off.  The roadshow schedule is listed below
  • Hosted our roadshow crew as they traveled to various communities
  • Invited KNOTbound to do a presentation in their community and help set up the event
  • Worked with one of our historians to preserve personal histories either through writings, audio or video interviews
  • Donated meaningful artefacts to the Archives to be preserved as part of our cultural history
  • Worked with KNOTbound to collect and preserve our history
  • Donated funds to the project
  • Spread the word to others that might have an interest

Roadshow Agenda for 2016:

Victoria –  26 July 2016 – MAsT Mtg – 6:30 pm – VAC (Victorian Aids Council) Training Room, 6 Claremont Street, South Yarra – Sponsored by MAsT Melbourne

Adelaide – 30 July 2016 – 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm – Astor Hotel on Pultney Street in Adelaide SA – Sponsored by The Rack Room

Canberra – 27 August 2016 – 1 pm to 3 pm – The Snug Room, King O’Malleys Irish Pub, 131 City Walk, Canberra ACT – Sponsored by WyckedMystress

Sydney – 28 August 2016 – 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm – ACON, 414 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010 – Sponsored by MAsT Sydney

Newcastle – 29 August 2016 -7 pm to 9 pm – MJ’s on Honeysuckle, 28 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle NSW 2300 – Sponsored by HerDominant

Gold Coast – 3 September 2016 – Personal Interviews

Brisbane – 4 September 2016 – The Reformatory, contact for details – Sponsored by The Reformatory

Albury/Wodonga – 7 September 2016 – Venue to be announced

 

ORAL HISTORIES

Video interviews: 

Richard Masters (aka Richard Wolstencroft)

Inquisitor

Tia Webby

Audio interviews:

Tom Walther (Black Prince)

Winterrose

Brian Meir (Eagle Leather)

Shane Morrison (Eagle Leather)

BJ (Eagle Leather)

Pepper (Eagle Leather)

ARTIFACTS

Journals of Allspice

Contracts

Homemade toys

Club cards and pins

Custom collars

Clippings and printed artefacts from Eagle Leather

PUBLICATIONS – (This is a partial listing of the magazines and catalogues)

Over 400 books are maintained in the Archival Library along with the following magazines and a number of very old BDSM themed newsheets:

Drummer Magazine
1977 to 1999
80+ Issues

Power Play
Issue 9

The Leather Journal
1987 – 1988
Issues 1,2,6,7

Checkmate
1995 – 1999
Issues 11-28

Dungeon Master
Issues 40, 43, 44

Manifest Reader
Issues 4, 5, 9, 15, 27

Bound & Gagged – Mini Mag
1989 – 1991
Issues 11, 18-23

Bound & Gagged – Full Size Mag
1991 – 1998
Issues 25-52, 54, 57-60, 63-67

Melbourne Kink Scene
2002 – 2003
Issues 7-19, 21-28

Kink-E
Issue 2, Vol 1
Issue 4, Vol 1
Issues 13,20,21

Atomic Rubberist
Issue 2

Hidden World
Issue 1

Bind
2015
Issue 1