‘You reckon we’re doing any good by being here?’ (1979)
Harry (Graham Kennedy) sets Bung (John Hargreaves) straight about the War: the 'commos’ will win and no-one at home in Australia will thank them for going. He tells Dawson (Graeme Blundell) that the rich don’t fight wars, but that poor ... [read more]
‘Try to look like a man’ (1928)
Billy has been summoned to report for military training, which he does not want to do. At the army camp, Billy (Keith Gategood) feigns illness, with a bad cough. The medical officer assures him that he is in the best ... [read more]
It’s war! (1982)
The recruiting drive is on and throughout the bush there are more than enough young men willing to drop everything for the adventure of war. Billy (Scott Burgess) and Walter (Scott McGregor) have been waiting for this moment with barely ... [read more]
‘Go back to Russia’ (1981)
Journalist Wilfred Burchett reported the Vietnam War from the 'other side’. After he lost his passport the Australian Government refused to issue him with a replacement. He is seen at a press conference after he entered Australia with his birth ... [read more]
‘Nothing to lose’ (2002)
At Sydney airport, Barry Ryan (Bryan Brown) collects his nephew Darcy (Sam Worthington), who’s returning from his service in Vietnam. Barry introduces his crew – ‘Hollywood’ Riley (William McInnes) and Norm (Andrew S. Gilbert) – and offers Darcy a job. ... [read more]
The right to protest (1999)
Anti-uranium mining protestors explain their role in the Jabiluka blockade. A woman recalls her first arrest and the mines security officer says that he is in favour of protesting for a cause that he may believe in. [read more]
Living in the 70’s (1974)
The title track of the Living in the 70’s album, recorded during June and July 1974 at the TCS Studios in Melbourne. The album, produced by Ross Wilson from the band Daddy Cool, broke all previous sales records for ... [read more]
Sunday in Melbourne (1967)
Air Vice-Marshall Ky and his wife, on their visit to Melbourne, meet Vietnamese students at Victoria’s Government House, before attending a final press conference. [read more]
‘It’s not our bloody war’ (1981)
Lost in the desert, on their way to join up, Archy (Mark Lee) and Frank (Mel Gibson) discuss politics, patriotism and the reasons for war. [read more]
The strike spreads (c1917)
‘Produce Merchants’ unload perishables from a ship on the docks, possibly part of the New South Wales General Strike of 1917. [read more]
‘A knockout for German trade’ (c1915)
This animated clip begins with a profile sketch of wartime Prime Minister Billy Hughes wearing a hat. Cut-out animation is used to lift the hat off Hughes’s head as an accompanying caption reads ‘what Billy Hughes has under his hat’. ... [read more]
Economy in Germany (c1915)
This clip begins with the title card Cartoons of the Moment followed by a scene of cartoonist Harry Julius sketching at an easel. A group of children run up to him and watch as he sketches. The three animated political ... [read more]
The Hun’s Xmas wail (1915)
This clip begins with the Cartoons of the Moment title card featuring a kangaroo and lion. Cartoonist Harry Julius is shown sketching at his notepad against an ocean background. A headline from the Berlin Lokal Anzeiger newspaper reads ‘Germany is ... [read more]
‘Working on the home front’ (1943)
This clip tells the story of a civilian worker who joined the war by helping to make engines and aircraft for the allies. His address to camera – filmed at a workbench against back projection of a factory floor – ... [read more]
Labor wins in 1972 (1983)
In a campaign speech, Bob Hawke pledges that an elected Whitlam government would stand-up to the US and other nations to openly declare when it believes a policy is wrong. In separate interviews, former US Ambassador Marshall Green and ... [read more]
Saturday in Sydney (1967)
Air Vice-Marshall Ky and Mme Ky finish their Brisbane visit, and the following day travel to Sydney. [read more]
‘Elephants’ (1979)
Neil Davis talks about working with the South Vietnamese army. He recalls that they were involved in fighting much more than the American forces, and suffered correspondingly higher casualties. The Americans were referred to as 'elephants’ because of their extensive ... [read more]
Into the history books (1983)
In the panic and confusion of the Labor government’s sacking and the packing up and the frenzied shredding of documents, Gough Whitlam stands alone, a tragic figure, before all his friends and colleagues. He is called to the steps of ... [read more]
Billy Hughes saves a life (1946)
Just after the First World War, Charles Kingsford Smith (Ron Randell) secures the backing of the Blackburn Aviation Co for his entry to the inaugural England to Australia Air Race, but he is dismayed when he meets the Australian Prime ... [read more]
