Physie: Photographs by Lyndal Irons
The Bjelke-Petersen School of Physical Culture (BJP) was founded in 1892 by Hans Christian Bjelke-Petersen as a medical gymnasium in Tasmania. While it was initially concerned with correcting the health and posture of men and children, today physical culture (‘Physie') is the domain of Australian females of all ages. Even though Physie has modernised to include elements of dance and thousands of women participate, it remains hard to define.
Sam Hood's 1930s photographs and Lyndal Irons' record of the lead-up to the 2012 BJP National Championships, held at the Opera House, will be on display.
Photography by Lyndal Irons, 2012
Copyright Lyndal Irons