In February 2022, following heavy rainfall, many suburbs in Brisbane experienced flooding, and for some, the flooding was more severe than the 2011 floods. When the water started rising, I was on set for some pickup shots for Permutations.
While trying to navigate all the dramas the rain was throwing us on set (with a leaking house), I also learned that Mill Street Studios was flooding. Focused on the pickup shots, I tried not to think about it, but now, seeing Mill St. destroyed is heartbreaking, particularly because the flooding has caused the business to close. While I have not owned the business for a few years, I have remained a part of the team/ family.
This was not the first time the space has flooded. I have fond memories of teaching there under the previous owner for many years, however, she was hit with the 2011 floods, which went entirely over the 7-metre-high roof. Thankfully, she was able to eventually salage the space and her business. This time it was not the case for the new owners – it was too much immediately after COVID 19. I don’t think I could have kept the business open either.
The “Goodna Flood Marker” at the Goodna roundabout indicates the peak flood level from the devastating 2011 flood, reaching 16.4 meters at the Queen Street shops around noon on Wednesday. This marker serves as a visual representation of the flood’s height during this specific event, showing the extent of inundation in the area.
Mill Street has many special memories and years of hard work, including numerous hours of painting and renovating, all in preparation for its opening in late 2013. While it’s the people who make memories special, many of these memories are embedded in the space, which is why it is sad to see it close. It is also very sad for the new team that took on running Mill and everyone who loved it dearly.
Memories include rehearsals for Slowdive for APAM in 2015, Flaunt in 2014, recording sound for Ward of State in 2014, remounting Flaunt for the tour in 2016, Test Pressing Projects in 2017 and 2018, and developing work for my later dance films Splat, Shift, Splat, Void, Love Song, and very recently rehearsing for Permutations. The years running the business were special too – connecting with the local community and creating work for younger people, from older teenagers to university students, with whom I could truly test out almost any creative idea. During this time, it was rewarding to see young people’s love of dance beautifully fostered by the fantastic teachers at Mill Street. I feel so lucky to have had those years – there are just so many memories.
Below are a few photos of recent flooding at Mill St, as well as my renovations of Mill St from earlier years, sprinkled with a handful of memories. There are far too many memories and people to include in this post.
For them, myself and for anyone who loved Mill St, it is sad to see the end of an era at Mill Street Studios.
In addition, losing a shipping container (also on site) full of my show sets and props was sad – more memories washed away. The mud-dredged mannequins from my show, Flaunt and piece, Spare Parts, found their final resting places in a submerged Corvette in the neighbouring mechanic’s yard. The mechanic never reopened after the floods.
CLEAN UP:
Once the roads were no longer cut off, I was able to travel to Mill St to help. Thankfully, in the immediate time, there were many people nearby – including the army. It was a massive job clearing out the entire space, both items ruined by the floods and those that were salvageable.
Finally, after all the clean up was complete, we threw a little party, bringing in some lights and a hazer to give it a bit of the old Mill Street style vibe, and said farewell, sharing many memories over the years with a bunch of special people. And yes, we threw shapes!
The following day, Mill St staff and I finished cleaning out the space after the farewell event, and by 9 pm, it was empty. It felt hollow and empty, void of all the care and love it had been given over the previous years.
William and I had been the last two people to close up, but he gave me the honour of closing up the studio for the last time. I should note that William was a long-standing teacher at Mill St and helped with the original renovations in 2013.
I left my keys in the space and took a moment before turning off the lights and closing the door for the very last time. I thought back to the moment in late 2013, almost eight and a half years earlier, when I first got the keys cut and walked into the space, seeing all the potential. It was a moment that felt like the final episode of a TV series – like Cheers.
I am deeply saddened to think it won’t be there anymore. I feel thankful to have many unforgettable memories and am proud of the creative work produced at Mill Street over the years. More than anything, it is the little legacy that Mill Street left, and the lifelong bonds made there. All through dance – which is magical.
RIP Mill St.
