in the early 1970s, tammer was a founding member of the melbourne film-maker's co-op, an important group for independent filmmakers in melbourne at the time. prior to the formation of the melbourne co-op, together with his wife monique, tammer put together a very early programme of independent short films called "a breath of fresh air". he was associated with other filmmakers such as jim wilson, fred harden, bert deling, james clayden, many of whom were now showing films at the piencotheca gallery, a precursor to the melbourne film co-op. he also had a productive association with garry patterson in the mid 1970s, for the films "here's to you, mr. robinson" (1976, 52 mins) and "how willingly you sing" (1977, 90 mins, directed by patterson, with cinematography by tammer).