Australian
Screen

Teacher’s notes

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This black-and-white clip from a silent newsreel of May 1918 shows crowds, performers and recreation facilities at an outdoor community carnival in the Melbourne suburb of Richmond, held to raise money for blind soldiers during the First World War. Still and panning shots show people in the crowd staring self-consciously at the camera, a merry-go-round, stalls, costumed men outside an entertainment tent, women serving drinks and a singing group in Pierrot costumes. The crowd includes many men in uniform, including one who plays up for the camera.

Educational value points

• This carnival was held to raise money for soldiers blinded during the First World War, probably as a result of gas containers and grenades and later by mustard-gas shells. Mustard gas, which attacked exposed moist skin and eyes, was used by the Germans in the battle at Passchendaele in July 1917. Both mustard gas and chlorine gas used by the German army caused temporary or permanent blindness when the gas came into contact with the eyes.

• Community events such as this carnival as well as pageants, dances and concert parties to support the war effort and to raise money for the ‘boys on the front line’ were common during the First World War. They also helped raise morale and revive patriotism at home when news of deaths and casualties on the battlefield was common. On Empire Day (24 May) and Australia Day (26 July in 1918) during the war years communities held fundraising pageants and street marches.

• Many uniformed men can be seen in the crowd as Australia in May 1918 was in its fourth year of war. As 1918 began Australians were increasingly war-weary and unsure which side would prevail in the conflict. The smiling faces of participants in this community event belie the gravity of events occurring in Europe – for example, 1,200 Australian soldiers had died while engaged in the successful recapture of Villers-Bretonneux in France just the previous month.

• The prominent role played by women at the carnival characterises the lead women took during the First World War in home-front voluntary activities to support the war effort. A common stereotype of the time was the ‘patriotic woman’ working tirelessly for nation and empire. Many joined voluntary organisations active in fundraising such as the Red Cross, the Australian Women’s National League and the Australian Comforts Fund.

• The clip shows traditional forms of entertainment, some of which are still seen at fairgrounds today. The Aunt Sally competition at the beginning of the clip is a traditional throwing game, although in this case the three costumed figures are ‘living’ Aunt Sallys instead of the usual doll target. The costumed singing group was probably taking part in a competition. Stalls provide refreshments and a merry-go-round and other rides provide entertainment.

• The clip gives some indication of the nature of film and film equipment in Australia in 1918. The bulky nature of film equipment limited the variety of shots. The camera was situated in a fixed position and achieved movement with the use of long slow panning shots. The response of the people being filmed is also revealing – they stand still and gaze at the camera or perform for it with a self-consciousness rarely seen today.