Sunday 23rd February 2025
It was a divine day for history as approximately 80 of the Gathered Faithful and two slightly confused fur children, joined the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for their annual Living History Walk this year titled 'Discovering the History of Newtown'.
For the first time in many years, the Sisters were not accompanied by the renowned historian Robert French, aka, Cardinal French, aka Saint Robert of the Rainbow Chronicles. This year however, the Sisters were joined by an icon of the gay and lesbian community as a guest of honour, none other than Australian underground legend Barry Charles, better known as Trough Man, yes, that Trough Man! Barry led us on a gloriously unfiltered journey through LGBTQ+ history, complete with scandal, song, and a touch of holy mischief.
Setting off from the Pride Centre at 10 AM sharp, our enthusiastic congregation followed Trough Man through the streets of Newtown as he regaled us with stories from the 1960s to the 1980s.
Highlights included the Liberal Party Headquarters (booo!), backroom shenanigans at the Newtown Hotel (gasp!), and the mysterious happenings of The Hub (snigger) and the Business Men’s Club (say no more!). He
also gave us a personal detailed rundown of the area’s many historic “love chapels”, or as some might call them, public beats.
Several of the gathered faithful who were, and indeed still are, very much part of the gay community of Sydney also shared their recollections of the history of, not to mention their experiences of the Newtown gay scene.
Midway through, Trough Man led the crowd in a rousing sing-along about former NSW Premier Neville Wran’s reluctance to decriminalize homosexuality. According to legend, and Trough man's impeccable memory, activists camped outside Wran’s house, serenading him day and night until his wife reportedly begged him to change the law just to make them go away. Activism and musical theatre, what a combo!
The journey concluded outside Moore Theological College, where the ever-radiant Sister Rowena Keeper of the Holy Doily, performed a dramatic exorcism. With great flair, and perhaps a few too many glitter confetti cannons, he tried to cast out outdated ideologies and welcomed in an era of liberation, inclusivity, and slightly tipsy theology students.
With spirits high and history absorbed, the Sisters invited everyone to the Newtown Pub for some much-needed libation, where the only sermon left to preach was “Whose round is it?” Amen and bottoms up!
Sister Ophelia Ring
Click on an image to open in slideshow!
Sisters Present: Sister Salomé of the 9th Mystic Rhinestone, Sister Rowena Keeper of the Holy Doyley, Sister Ophelia Ring
Sister Eileen Dover of The Double Cross,
Novice Sister Mary Arse Licked and Old Lace, Novice Sister Carmen Cider
and Novice Sister Beryl-Lee Noah..
The Sisters acknowledge and thank William Brougham, Cotton Ward & Sister Ophelia for the use of their photos.
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