BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne

Subject: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: Joybell
Date: 25 Jul 13 - 08:11 PM

In need of a little distraction and inspired by Jennie's dancing Canadian policemen on Little Hawke's thread I'm creating this one.

During the 1970s maybe before (time's becoming meaningless) there was a traffic cop I remember well. He was always at the big Melbourne intersection where Elizabeth Street and Flinders Street meet at a T. In front of the side entrance to Flinders Street Station. I was born and raised in Melbourne. It has always been a rather proper, sedate, and serious place. From childhood I spent many hours wandering around the city watching the life-drama not minding that there wasn't much eccentricity.
One day I came upon this policeman who seemed to be right out of Broadway. He danced and mimed his way through the day with much waving of arms and funny little dance routines. Sometimes he fell to his kness in mock prayer, or lifted his arms heaven-wards begging help from above. At each change of traffic light he would lead a new group of pedestrians across the road and then wave the cars through with a great flourish. I loved him. Spent hours just watching.
I wonder where he is now? I wonder who he was?
Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 25 Jul 13 - 09:31 PM

I can't help you find Melbourne's dancing policeman, but Providence, Rhode Island, has Tony Lepore. You may be able to access this video, one of several on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-yBc8txHaA This one from The Telegraph in the UK includes Tony's commentary. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9759805/Meet-Rhode-Islands-dancing-policeman-Tony-Lepore.html

Subject: RE: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 25 Jul 13 - 11:09 PM

Due to budget cuts our city now utilizes enthusiastic volunteer traffic cops.

Subject: RE: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: Andrez
Date: 26 Jul 13 - 12:16 AM

Hey Joybell, I'm born and bred in sunny (sic!) melbourne town too and spent many hours around various inner city folk haunts of the time: the Commune, Traynors, the Outpost Inn, the"Dan" etc.

Sadly I dont ever recall hearing any mention of said dancing policeman at Flinders st. Do you think he might have been reported by the Sun, the Age or the Herald at the time? I'm asking that because their archives might be one pathway to getting some more info. I'll email me auld cobber dBranno and see if he can contribute any info as well. These are all long shots mind you.

Cheers,

Andrez

PS: At least he wasn't dancing at the end of a rope like some of the other customers of the local constabulary Vale and RIP Ned Kelly!

Subject: RE: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Jul 13 - 05:59 AM

The National Library is digitizing all Australian newspapers.

I did a site search on "dancing policeman" site:trove.nla.gov.au & found Improving The Leg Of The Law (22 March 1952)

but alas it was not what we wanted! And besides it came from the Sydney Morning Herald. I was only 6 weeks old when it was published.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: Joybell
Date: 26 Jul 13 - 05:46 PM

Thank you ChanteyLass I'll take a look. I do remember other dancing cops.
I was 7 Sandra. I've tried "Trove" but without any luck.
Andrez -- Thank you. Do you know -- we must have crossed paths. I spent almost every Friday night at Traynor's for years. Born and raised in Thornbury. Later I frequented the Green Man and other places where True-love performed.
Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: Andrez
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 04:20 AM

Hey Joybell that really begs the question as to who or what Truelove is? Maybe a quiet PM whisper?

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: Joybell
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 05:14 PM

Hildebrand, Andrez.
I went to him for banjo lessons in '78 shortly after he came to Australia. He remembers you.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: Andrez
Date: 27 Jul 13 - 08:22 PM

Oh hey well how about that, I remember the very same person too. One C One was another venue where our paths crossed. Its funny, a post on another thread by Sandra from Sydney made me do some searching for Folk scene in Melbourne i.e whats happening today? Not much I gather but I did come across the Newport Bush society where the bush orchestra is led by one G O'Leary, also harking from the One C One times..... and thinking along those lines makes me wonder whats happened to the P Wookey?

Cheers,

Andrez

PS: I heard a whisper that Hugh McDonald might be at Cygnet in Tassie this January in case you ever get down there. I bought an Epiphone guitar from him many, many years ago and could rightly refer to her as Truelove too :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: Janie
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 04:52 PM

I'm the maestro, and I have the traffic turned just right, like a symphony

Subject: RE: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: Andrez
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 06:07 PM

How cool, wonder what he's on?

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: BS: Dancing policeman of Melbourne
From: Joybell
Date: 28 Jul 13 - 06:14 PM

Wookey has a website, Andrez. A great old photo on it. He's still performing. We see him sometimes. I always wanted to write his name on a railway water-tank. His really good train-song "Roll Along" says that among other things he's never had his name scratched on a water-tank. Remember?
Mavis gave me three menus from the Green Man when it closed. They were from different periods. I get nostalgic and gaze at the sometimes.
Quite a few of us are still performing when we get the chance.
Maldon Folk Festival is a hot-spot. Lots of "Folkies" living in the Castlemaine area.
Cheers, Joy