The extraordinary Coralie Hinkley, passionately involved in so many dance-related activities, died in September 2021. An obituary is at this link. After her death her collection of papers, photographs, writings and so many other items were donated to the National Library of Australia by her daughter. The collection, Papers of Coralie Hinkley, has since been processed, and a finding aid is available for viewing online at this link.
The collection is extensive and covers Hinkley’s life and career, including her time spent abroad as well as in Australia. Given that I, in my long-past youth, was a pupil at Fort Street Girls’ High School in Sydney, I have started my investigation of the material in the collection by looking at the photos and other material relating to Hinkley’s teaching project at that school (which unfortunately did not coincide with my time there).
Hinkley began her project at Fort Street in 1963 when she was appointed to the school with the encouragement of the then Principal, Alma Hamilton. While eventually there was a performing group as part of the project, every student across the six years of the secondary school curriculum received a dance lesson every week.
Amongst the various materials relating to Fort Street are reading lists, class notes, notes on specific works being created and Hinkley’s views on the aim of dance in education. On the latter she wrote:
Dance in education should contribute to the growth of the individual and this study is based on a scientific understanding of their needs and capacities. The modern dance provides an emotional release, an increased sensibility to the environment, skill in working creatively. The vital energy for artistic creation is fostered and nurtured; the child is developed physically, mentally and spiritually and the aesthetic side of her values is encouraged to flower.
There are also numerous photographs in the Hinkley collection showing the diversity of works created on the Fort Street students. Something of a surprise are images showing dancers performing/posing next to the sails on the roof of the Sydney Opera House, as in the header image and an image below. One has The Forest written on the back but it is hard to imagine a full work, which The Forest was, or even excerpts from it, being performed there. So those images need further research, although that the Sydney Opera House didn’t open until 1973 helps with dating.
There are two oral history interviews with Hinkley in the National Library, one which I recorded in 1997-1998 and which is available online at this link, and one recorded in 2013 by Alex and Annette Hood, which is available at this link.
More to come on the Hinkley collection in due course.
Michelle Potter, 21 February 2025
Featured image (detail): Dancers from the Fort Street Dance Group high on the structure, and against the sails of the Sydney Opera House, 1970s.
Note on photographs: Many of the photographs in the Fort Street part of the Hinkley collection, including those used in this post, were taken by Robert Walker whose stamp appears on the back of the print. Walker died in 1987 and I have not yet found a way to contact his family to ask permission to reproduce. I would welcome suggestions.