Our state through the eyes of an Adelaide flasher
Vic Grimmett spent decades photographing the great state of SA. Now the State Library has a special exhibition of his subjects — from Maggie Tabberer to Don Dunstan.
Vic Grimmett documented life in Adelaide through the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s like few others. His camera captured the great and the good, the big and the small. From intimate family moments to the superstars of the day, Grimmett’s eye fell on them all.
Queen Elizabeth is there on her visit to Windsor Green at Elizabeth in 1963, turning on a gold tap to launch a new fountain.
Tennis legends Harry Hopman and Lew Hoad are snapped together during a 1956 Davis Cup match.
There are colour family shots of former premiers Steele Hall and Don Dunstan. Photos of celebrities such as Maggie Taberer, Bert Newton and Deforest Kelley, who played Dr Leonard “Bones’’ McCoy in Star Trek. And, of course he was in the middle of the action when The Beatles descended on Adelaide in 1964.
Over his career he also photographed more than 2000 weddings, but he regarded fashion photography as his favourite.
He took pictures for magazines such as Women’s Weekly, Women’s Day, The Bulletin and the old TV Radio Extra.
“I spent 40 years behind the camera, and during that period had the opportunity to photograph many famous people, including film stars, pop stars, royalty, politicians, sportsmen and women,’’ Grimmett wrote.
“It was a very exciting time.’’
Grimmett, who died in 2017, donated 250,000 negatives to the State Library of South Australia and a selection of them are now on display in the exhibition Photography of an Adelaide flasher; through the lens of Vic Grimmett.
Grimmett’s father was also a keen photographer, but Clarrie Grimmett was better known as a legendary Australian spin bowler who took 216 wickets in only 37 Tests.
The love of photography passed from father to son, but Vic worked in the old Engineering and Water Supply Department until he joined the RAAF in 1942.
He captained Wellington and Lancaster bombers in 31 missions over Europe and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1945.
When he returned home to South Australia he rejoined the E&WS but the lure of photography would prove to great and he turned his hobby into a profession.
For four decades until 1993 he worked as a photographer, recording the development of South Australia and its people.
Photography of an Adelaide Flasher: Through the Lens of Vic Grimmett is at the State Library until October 27.