Bicentennary '88

Discovering Our True Selves

Much like 'Withnail and I' as a period piece of the late 60's, the Australian Bicentennary of 1988 felt like a last hurrah for the decadent (and particularly self-congratulatory) 1980's. It was a party within a party, built on a (new) parliament house of cards, tall ships and a lot of sun cream. We sailed, barbequed and chardonay'd hard until it all tumbled into the self-pitying and grunge-ified 90's. Honestly, if you peep hard enough at its parentage it's easy to understand emo's angsty confusion. We all now wince from behind long, black fringes expecting a similar smack-down should we misbehave as a decade once again!

This 1980's stunner sums it all up with as many hidden clues as a da Vinci masterpiece. There we are, blonde & white, saluting a foreign flag and empty boat with backs turned to the original indigenous owners, sharks and smiling sun (shining malignantly as we perpetrate its growing power to destory us all). The Australian Bicentennary Authority should be belatedly congratulated for the forwarning...with this t-shirt as it's own Les Propheties.

This (naturally) white poly/cotton piece was made in Australia by Maryborough Knitting Mills under licence from the ABA. 1988 was the party year although the tag does indicate "first published 1981" which may just date this a little earlier. A small size which is pretty rare to turn up these days. Features an extra piece of eighties-ness across the back - Uluru in silhouette with "200 Years Young" emblazoned across (its millions of years rendered meaningless by our own celebration). Thanks to the fine Sydney store where this turned up along with a fine Crystal Cylinders classic that I shall feature later.