Hanging older
theatre lanterns upside down can open a world of pain.
Over heating can happen because ventilation used to be on the top only. I walked into a theatre once where six old fashioned fresnels had been hung upside down and the very young tech was standing on the floor wondering why they were smoking. The paint was burning off the top. A few seconds after I walked in before I'd had the chance to run them down two of the lamps blew explosively.
I'm with Gafftaper, some lamps need to burn base down, shortens their life if you don't. Don't know the theory but I'm sure Ship can explain.
Then of course there is all the stuff on the front, barn doors, colour frames, top hats, donuts you name it. Not many older lamps have working retainer clips. I've actually seen things like barn doors gaffer'd to lamps to stop them falling off.
PAR cans can hang anyway you like upside down or sideways. Enjoy.
Any way what do you mean funny Aussie lamps? If we do it it's right. We are Gods.