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National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Monte Punshon on The Mike Walsh Show

1985

Monte Punshon on The Mike Walsh Show

1985

  • NFSA IDMQDZBPKD
  • TypeTelevision
  • MediumMoving Image
  • FormSeries
  • Duration1 hr
  • GenresVariety show
  • Year1985

This excerpt from 1980s Australian variety show The Mike Walsh Show features an interview with centenarian Monte Punshon (1882–1989), who was named an honorary ambassador for Brisbane's Expo 88. The conversation between host Mike Walsh and Punshon offers a glimpse into the laidback push-and-pull of the ‘80s talk show segment, and the way Australian public figures managed their personas.

Although she had revealed in an LGBTQIA+ magazine that she had intimate relationships with women in the past, Punshon responds coyly when Walsh questions her about having never been married. The clip offers insight into the light, conversational nature of daytime Aussie television of the era, where casual wit coexists with Punshon's thoughtful reflections on the institution of marriage.

Punshon was nevertheless outed as ‘Australia's oldest lesbian' after the interview, which caused some friction with the Queensland State Government and its conservative premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, who was notorious for his homophobic views.

This excerpt from 1980s Australian variety show The Mike Walsh Show features an interview with centenarian Monte Punshon (1882–1989), who was named an honorary ambassador for Brisbane's Expo 88. The conversation between host Mike Walsh and Punshon offers a glimpse into the laidback push-and-pull of the ‘80s talk show segment, and the way Australian public figures managed their personas.

Although she had revealed in an LGBTQIA+ magazine that she had intimate relationships with women in the past, Punshon responds coyly when Walsh questions her about having never been married. The clip offers insight into the light, conversational nature of daytime Aussie television of the era, where casual wit coexists with Punshon's thoughtful reflections on the institution of marriage.

Punshon was nevertheless outed as ‘Australia's oldest lesbian' after the interview, which caused some friction with the Queensland State Government and its conservative premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, who was notorious for his homophobic views.

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