[Nicoll Family Home Movie Collection]

The Nicoll Family Home Movie Collection is a collection of 16mm home movies made by Alexander (Alex) Nicoll from the 1930s to the 1960s. The films were donated to ACMI by the filmmaker’s son Mac Nicoll.

Alex was gifted his camera from a wealthy mentor, Arthur Thomas, who also lent Alex money to establish a business. Alex began a lifelong involvement in the “rag trade”, running an import agency on the third floor at Tasmania House. He was a popular figure in “The Lane”, serving for some years as the President of the Victorian Softgoods Association.

Alex always deeply respected Arthur Thomas, keeping a framed photo of Thomas on his desk until he retired. Thomas was a keen photographer and when he died in the 1930s he left Alex his Agfa 16mm camera, his projector and collapsible screen, all of which Alex frequently used during the 1940s and 1950s. There were films galore: films of family at home and on holidays, of faraway places in his later years and local events. For example, he captured the excitement of the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne with footage of the decorated buildings in the city with the department stores of the era – Foy’s, Buckley’s, Myer, Coles and Woolworths. He was often asked to show his films at family events and other local gatherings.

Alex suffered a serious stroke in 1960, which caused the sale of his business and the end of his photography. He died in 1968 and the film equipment passed to his son, Mac, who continued filming the comings and goings of his young family in the 1960s to the early 1970s. Mac valued the support shown to his father and in his way, supported others by becoming a well-respected teacher.