Physie

Beginning in 1892, the Bjelke-Petersen school of Physical Culture is one of Australia’s oldest sporting institutions. It started as a medical gymnasium in Tasmania concerned with correcting health and posture in men and children. During World War II most male teachers were lost. Today “physie” is the domain of Australian females of all ages and has modernised to include elements of dance. Competition is fierce and performers train intensely in an attempt to reach the pinnacle of perfection. Lyndal Irons followed a competition season in 2012 from the suburbs to the Opera House to document this important Australian sport.