[Nixon Family Home Movies: Reel 7]

In the Nixon Family Home Movie Collection, married film enthusiasts Les and Dorothy Nixon have captured their family life from when their children are very young to when they are young adults, at home in Geelong, during wonderful beach holidays at Point Roadknight on the Victorian coast, and when going about their everyday activities, from the 1960s to the 1980s.

The films show life in regional and suburban Victoria at the time: playing in the backyard and bike riding down the street (no helmets of course), lots of tennis, lots of beach and swimming, lots of family visits, birthday parties and family barbeques or picnic gatherings. Along the way, the films also record the distinctive fashion (often handmade) and hairstyles of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, through Dorothy Nixon being so stylish a dresser herself, and at the many family weddings across the extended family.

The films are made on Standard 8mm and then Super 8mm film, and are in reasonable condition though a little shaky or damaged at times.

This film begins with Dorothy, Karen and Stuart relaxing around the family Christmas tree, 1984 and moves onto family activities in the backyard. There are two extended family weddings and some wonderful fashion from the early 1980s.

The highlight of the film is Karen’s 21st birthday where we see the traditional table for the presents to be displayed before Karen proudly poses for the camera in front of her new car.

Selected highlights list:
00:00:03:00 Dorothy, Karen and Stuart chatting, whilst seated around their Christmas tree at home
00:00:23:00 Karen in some fantastic embroidered trousers with a boyfriend, Dorothy and Stuart in the garden at home
00:00:35:00 family barbeque in the backyard
00:00:53:00 classic 1970s and 1980s style glassware
00:02:33:00 ‘totem’ tennis being played in the backyard
00:02:50:00 Stuart and a friend or cousin being rallied to pose for the camera
00:04:23:00 large family gathering in a park including a lovely group shot of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren with a grandparent
00:06:39:00 Stuart poses with a sports trophy
00:07:32:00 extended family wedding where Karen is a bridesmaid
00:08:30:00 Karen’s 21st birthday scenes where she and her brother wear matching red and white outfits and Dorothy is in a very smart dress that matches the theme
00:08:51 Karen shows off her birthday presents that are displayed on a table set up for the purpose
00:09:05:00 Karen and her new car