THE QUEENS BALLS
Sixty years ago, Laurie Deane held a drag party…Today, it’s the longest running LGBTIQ+ event in the world!
On more than one occasion I had to run like crazy and jump over a back fence in a full crinoline dress to get away from the police…
Sixty years ago, Laurie Deane held a drag party as a celebration and an act of defiance. Thought to be the longest, continuously running LGBTIQ+ event in the world, the Queens Ball, Brisbane celebrated its 60th anniversary in June. Laurie and Dame Sybil von Thorndyke recall the event’s colourful history.
In 1962, Laurie Deane, together with a few friends, rented some holiday cottages in Mount Tambourine, a rural location south of Brisbane. They wanted to hold a costume party away from the city where gay events were often raided by corrupt police and attendees brutally abused.
The party was held on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Gold, hand-painted Kewpie Dolls were awarded for the best costumes.
After the success of the first party, it became an annual tradition. And after 10 years, the party outgrew its humble beginnings.
“Like Moses, we came down from the mountains,” jokes Laurie, now in his eighties.
People turned up in their hundreds as an act of defiance, including a lot of straight people, and that just added to the mix.
Homosexuality was still illegal in Queensland until 1991, so there were many frightening times for ball-goers, many taking a huge personal risk by attending. Laurie, and his drag persona Dame Sybil von Thorndyke, had some close calls.
“On more than one occasion I had to run like crazy and jump over a back fence in a full crinoline dress to get away from the police,” says Laurie. “Some people were arrested and suffered as a result of that.”
Yet, despite these precarious times, the
Queens Ball was a fun and inclusive event that continued to grow.
“The Queens Ball was a celebration, and people turned up in their hundreds as an act of defiance, I guess. It attracted all sorts of people including a lot of straight people, and that just added to the mix.”
As the event grew, so too did the costumes. Many ball-goers spent a lot of time and money creating lavish gowns and glamorous looks, while others chose to come in groups wearing matching, themed outfits.
Over the years, various locations around Brisbane’s club district played host including The Roxy, Hacienda, Whispers and the Royal National Agricultural Showgrounds. Each year’s event had a different theme and the old Kewpie Dolls gave way to gold-painted plaster “OSCAR” statues. Laurie cunningly registered the Ostentatious Society of Cinema, Arts and Repertory, so was free to use the acronym OSCAR as he pleased. Fifteen statues, numbered and dated, were cast each year and were awarded for outstanding costumes, community work, drag performance, and one queen was awarded Belle Of The Ball.
It became the must-do party event of the year for the LGBTIQA+ community, with elaborate production shows featuring drag queens and dancers. Celebrity friends and allies would make guest appearances and over the years Divine, Danny La Rue, Judi Connelli and Carol Lloyd all performed at the Ball.
By day, Laurie was a teacher who immersed his students in the arts. He took them on field trips to dance performances, exhibitions, art galleries and plays. By night, Laurie regularly transformed into Dame Sybil, a witty, charming and theatrical lady. Laurie even took dance lessons to ensure Sybil was always at her best on stage.
At the Queens Ball, her performances and >>