This production of the play written by Martin Sherman and directred Janet Fisher was performed between 3 and 31 October 1987.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Cross dressing performers regularly appeared in Palmerston North theatres between 1910's and 1950's, ranging from war veterans to international celebrities. Newspaper reviews suggest male and female impersonators were regarded as a respectable part of mainstream entertainment.

The information for this image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 26th February 1992.

"The Topp Twins are off again, cracking jokes, serving up another hilarious slice of the New Zealand lifestyle. This time Lynda and Jools have been joined by percussionist/vocalist Nettie Bird, the trio mixing new songs and old favourites in their Camping Out national tour.

"Camping Out has lots of connotations. It's a very gay, happy time. Everyone can remember staying in camping grounds as a kid, so it's a very New Zealand thing," says Jools. "Summer wasn't happening so we decided to have some fun and create our own summer, inside a theatre. We think it's pretty important for people to come out right now, just to be entertained. That's the most political thing anyone can do."

The twins' Camping Out show is set in the 1950s, so tacky props -- terry-towelling sunsuits, crimplene pants and plastic sandles [sic] -- are the fashion accessories. While the show includes many new songs, the old favourites such as Untouchable Girls have also been included. Unlike previous tours, Camping Out finds Lynda, Jools and Nettie remaining "in character" for the whole show. "We've always had this running theme of music, and that keeps the whole show together. In Camping Out, Lynda becomes the communicator, welcoming everyone to the camping ground, turning the audience into the campers. Participation is essential."

The twins have no qualms about supporting New Zealand's nuclear-free position, with Greenpeace having had a booth at each show. "Already we've had the Mayor of Napier inviting the entire American war machine to pitch camp there, which is quite alarming. Internationally, it's our anti-nuclear position which is always a talking point at our shows. Whether it be Britain, Canada or Australia, people come up and say they admire our stand. We believe it's one of New Zealand's greatest selling points, yet that can only be fully recognised once you've left the country."

The Camping Out show premiered in Auckland before Christmas to full houses and favourable reviews, suggesting the Topp Twins have become something of an institution in New Zealand comedy. Jools says its really about being honest with your audience. "Most comedians get their laughs by putting someone down, but we prefer to have the audience laughing with us. While some might feel uncomfortable about three lesbian women doing a theatre show about camping out in the 1950s, being down to earth in our approach pulls us through. We're not trained actresses, so we only really know how to dress up and be silly and have fun. People like the way we use music and comedy to communicate these things, to reflect New Zealand as we see it."

This episode of Friend of Marilyn features a piece written by members of NOLOSE (National Organization of Lesbians of Size) as a response to white fat activism from people of colour, a chat with Melissa McEwan, Founder of Shakesville, and spotlights a piece from blog Fierce Fatties, on 'no more excuses'.

The Friend of Marilyn podcast began in 2011 and ran through to 2021. Each episode features Cat Pausé’s reflections on fat related stories in the media, an interview with an activist, scholar, writer or community worker, a spotlight on literature, a blog or other piece of scholarship in the field of fat studies, and finished with music from fat artists. Friend of Marilyn was listened to around the world on multiple platforms and was broadcast locally by Manawatū People’s Radio online and on 999AM. The music featured throughout the programme is sampled from the song Standing in the Way of Control by Gossip and was used with permission from the band.

Cat Pausé was a senior lecturer at Massey University and was a recognised public intellectual and activist in the area of fat studies. She contributed to and coordinated several conferences in her field and was regularly consulted for her expertise by media. She was the lead editor of Queering Fat Embodiment and the International Handbook of Fat Studies. Her scholarship features in journals such as Fat Studies, Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics, Feminist Review, and Narrative Inquiries in Bioethics, as well as online in the Huffington Post, NPR, and The Conversation websites.

This episode has been edited from version originally broadcast to remove music by The Donnas as rights and licences were not obtained by Manawatū Heritage.

This episode of Friend of Marilyn features a chat with Virgie Tovar, author of 'Hot & Heavy: Fierce Fat Girls on Life, Love & Fashion',
who attended NOLOSE - National Organization of Lesbians of Size - in 2012.

The Friend of Marilyn podcast began in 2011 and ran through to 2021. Each episode features Cat Pausé’s reflections on fat related stories in the media, an interview with an activist, scholar, writer or community worker, a spotlight on literature, a blog or other piece of scholarship in the field of fat studies, and finished with music from fat artists. Friend of Marilyn was listened to around the world on multiple platforms and was broadcast locally by Manawatū People’s Radio online and on 999AM. The music featured throughout the programme is sampled from the song Standing in the Way of Control by Gossip and was used with permission from the band.

Cat Pausé was a senior lecturer at Massey University and was a recognised public intellectual and activist in the area of fat studies. She contributed to and coordinated several conferences in her field and was regularly consulted for her expertise by media. She was the lead editor of Queering Fat Embodiment and the International Handbook of Fat Studies. Her scholarship features in journals such as Fat Studies, Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics, Feminist Review, and Narrative Inquiries in Bioethics, as well as online in the Huffington Post, NPR, and The Conversation websites.

This episode has been edited from version originally broadcast to remove music by Big Mama Thornton as rights and licences were not obtained by Manawatū Heritage.

The first image in this set was published in The Manawatu Evening Standard on Tuesday, 18 June 1985 - “Wilde rejects 'lies' over homosexual bill." (The other images were not published.) "

Some of the 300-strong audience who filled the YMCA hall in Palmerston North last night to hear speakers, including Wellington Central MP Fran Wilde … support the Homosexual Law Reform Bill.”

The Homosexual Law Reform Bill (eventually passed in 1986) sought to decriminalise consensual sex between males over 16 years old, bringing the law into line with those governing heterosexual sex. “’There have been many lies told about the bill in a deliberate attempt to frighten people into opposing it’ [Wilde] said. ‘Most of what has been said is absolute rubbish – emotional, hysterical and factually incorrect.’” At the meeting, Wilde referenced rhetoric promoted by the Salvation Army that the bill would allow for sexual acts between boys between 12 and 16 was an ‘insidious and nasty lie’ and was a ‘gross distortion of the legislation… being put about by people who know the best of frightening others into opposing the bill is to make them fearful that their children will be somehow under threat.’”

Decriminalisation was also seen as an important health issue due to the Aids epidemic. “An effective prevention campaign requires the co-operation of the major target groups. At present it could be said that the Health Department is in theory breaking the law by co-operating with criminals.” She added, ‘[W]e will never fight Aids properly until people feel they will not be persecuted or prosecuted because of their sexual orientation.”

Other speakers, who pointed out how the legislation was tied to other human rights campaigns, included Māori activist Toni Davis Waho, Trade Unionist Roger Middlemass, Lesbian activist Allanah Ryan and MaGRA (Manawatu Gay Rights Association – later MaLGRA, Manawatu Lesbian and Gay Rights Association) representative Vernon Tile.

This scrapbook was compiled by members of MaGRA - Manawatu Gay Rights Association, (later MaLGRA - Manawatu Lesbian and Gay Rights Association) between 1978 and 1985.

Consisting primarily of clippings from New Zealand newspapers, it covers the subjects of Homosexual Law Reform efforts, the Aids epidemic and New Zealand gay and lesbian rights movements.

It also includes copies of letters between organisers Peter Pawson and Kevin Baston to both Fran Wilde (Member of Parliament who sponsored the Homosexual Law Reform Bill in 1985) and Rangitikei Member of Parliament Denis Marshall.

The cover features stickers from the Tom Robinson Band, a United Kingdom based rock band whose song "Glad to be Gay" became an iconic Pride anthem.

The first image in this set was published in The Manawatu Evening Standard on Saturday, April 27 1985 with a caption but no accompanying story. The other images were not published.

“Feilding Gay Task Force members flank the Salvation Army Centennial march through the town last night. About 15 to 20 task force members walked silently beside the march, letting their banners speak for them in their protest against the Salvation Army’s opposition to the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. Spokesman for the group Peter Pawson said the protesters were asked to stop, but the protest remained peaceful and non-violent.”

A pamphlet supporting the proposed Homosexual Law Reform Bill, and advertising an public meeting to discuss the matter in Palmerston North. Includes information on the topic, and a donation form for the Manawatu Gay Rights Assn in Palmerston North.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Speakers at a meeting held in Palmerston North 17 June 1985 showed it was possible to build widespread support for the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. The meeting was attended by 300 local people, from a wide range of groups. The meeting showed that additional support from groups outside the existing gay groups and organisations could help win over enough support in Parliament for the bill to pass.

MP Fran Wilde was the sponsor of the bill and heard from members of the Manawatū Gay Rights Association (MGRA) how a mass action campaign in support of the bill could be organised and succesfully carried out. A much bigger nationwide campaign followed.

The Homosexual Law Reform Act, decriminalising homosexual acts between consenting males aged 16 and over, came into effect 8 August 1986.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The founding of Manawatū Gay Rights Association (MaGRA) in 1977 occurred during a period of time when queer (LGBTQIA+) experiences were mostly absent from the media and mocked by many in the community. Whilst a lot of progress has been made over the past 50 years changing laws and attitudes to protect sexual orientation as a human right, individuals lives and experiences are rarely recorded. Manawatū Lesbian and Gay Rights Association (MaLGRA) in 2024 is embarking on an oral history project to record the history and experiences of Manawatū's Rainbow community.

Rainbow flag raised in George St October 2018 to mark Manawatū's gay and lesbian rights group (MaLGRA) celebrating the groups 41st anniversary.

This rainbow flag was flown in October to mark Manawatū's gay and lesbian rights group (MaLGRA), celebrating its 41st anniversary. It was raised above the George Street entrance to the Central Library.

This image was taken from the 3rd floor of the Central Library building, looking across the library roof, past the top of the Nash Building in George Street, and the city southwards.

Cross walk in front of the Palmerston North City Library George Street entrance painted with rainbow colours on 15 October 2018 to mark Manawatū's gay and lesbian rights group (MaLGRA), celebrating its 41st anniversary.

Fred Cutler is thought to have been the coach.

Fred Cutler is standing in the middle of the back row.

Fred Cutler, the coach, is standing on the left.

Central image: Fred Cutler, second from left at back holding violin. Top left image, Fred Cutler back row, top left.

Photographs: Top Row, left to right: "R. Knowles (one time S.M. Central) H. Edmondson (Wanganui)"; Central Troop Football Team, Mr Knowles (S.M.), Mr Bowen (coach), A. Law, R. Jordan, R. Harding, Mr Donkin, A. Pullman, L. Freeman, C. Hands, Mr Browning, E. Bennett, G. Pullman, A. Black, W. Eyre, A. Reardon, A. Jewett, A Steer, C. Edwards; "The Original Ram Patrol" Mr Browning, G. Harding, L. Knowles, ? Edwards, ? Harding, O. Dahl, Mr Farland, in front: P. Petersen, H. Palmer; Middle Row: [Photo missing]; "Sportsground Camp (Christmas 1921)"; "Armistice Day 1918"; Bottom Row: "Scenes at Foxton Camp (1923-24)"; "Easter Camp 1924"; "A Scout Toreador (C. Francis)"; "Easter Monday '23 / Our Cubs"; [Photograph missing].

A large group of scouts and some scoutmasters are shown in front of trees trunks. The Manawatū and Oroua Scouting Association held a camp at the Foxton racecourse between 28 December 1923 and 7 January 1924, under the direction of Commandant Slipper of Palmerston North. Around 130 scouts from the area attended.

A group of twenty-nine scouts, their scoutmaster and two young women, posed in front of a Union Jack flag. Labelled: "Presented by E. R. Whalley." Ernest Richard Whalley (1863-1929) was a Palmerston North photographer. Reginald Herbert Whalley (1861-1940) was the first scoutmaster of Palmerston North.

A group of three scoutmasters and 23 scouts. The first scout troop was established in Palmerston North in late 1908. The Manawatū Evening Standard reported: "the boys meet every Friday night at the Mounted Rifles' orderly room. There the twenty boys comprising the corps are exercised in Morse and semaphore signalling, camp work, elementary infantry military exercises [...] and also recognised scout work." (26 June 1909). "Photo presented by Mr R. H. Whalley - first S.M. in P.N." This refers to Reginald Herbert Whalley (1861-1940).

Standing: Mr Edyvean, Mrs Neilson, Mrs Kells, Mr Inglis, Scoutmaster Francis, Mrs Butzbach, Mrs Richmond, Mr Neilson. Sitting: Mrs Francis, Mr Simmonds, Mrs Edyvean.

A group of thirty scouts and their scoutmaster.

A scoutmaster stands with 18 scouts and a dog.

Although the photograph is inscribed "Wanganui Camp, Christmas 1918", it event actually took place in January 1919. The annual camp of the Wanganui and Wellington North Boys Scouts was originally scheduled to take place in December 1918, but was postponed due to the influenza epidemic. Instead, the gathering of over 300 scouts took place between 20 and 30 January 1919, with Victoria Avenue School "used for the purpose of barracks" (Wanganui Herald, 17 January 1919).

Five scoutmasters, five scouts and a dog stand in front of a row of trees. "Toothbrush" moustaches such as those displayed by three of the men went out of fashion after Adolf Hitler came to power.

A large group of scouts are shown in front of a grandstand. The photogrpah is inscribed on reverse: "Feilding Camp, 1916-17?"

A scout camp took place at Foxton Racecourse between 28 December 1923 and 7 January 1924. The Manawatū Standard reported: "The various units are: Feilding, under the command of Scouter Haywood, 28 ranks; All Saints (Rev. Dent), 21; Central (Scouters Schwartz and Garner), 30; Te Awe Awe (Scouter Richardson), 25; West End (Scouter Carpenter), 10; Ashhurst, 6; the total force numbering 130 of all ranks." The photograph is inscribed: "Concert on the Lawn / Foxton Camp (1923-24) / 'The Long and the Short of it' / Senior & Junior Champs E. Carpenter [and] J. Kells".