Chocolate packing department (c1926)
In the chocolate packing department, lines of women wearing protective smocks and hairnets, hand select and carefully pack individual chocolates into boxes. One woman passes boxes of chocolates to another, who then makes a final inspection before folding over ... [read more]
Blood, sweat and tears (2004)
While reporter Mark Bowling sits back in air-conditioned comfort, the story cuts to archival footage to remind us of the history of transportation in the outback, from the Afghan camel trains to the earliest train line in the 150-year struggle ... [read more]
Building a motor body (c1925)
Large power presses stamp the panels for the car bodies. As the press is lifted, one man removes the panel and another places a flat sheet into the machine. A worker in goggles welds the panels together. The finished sections ... [read more]
‘You run like a blackfella!’ (1976)
While his father takes a catch of fish to sell in town, Mike (Greg Rowe) discovers some illegal hunters shooting birds. An Aboriginal stranger, Fingerbone Bill (David Gulpilil), drives them away with a warning shot. Mike tried to hide but ... [read more]
Six o’clock swill (1976)
Caddie has taken a job in an inner-city hotel, because it pays more than waitressing, but she’s unprepared for the brutal struggle that is the nightly ‘six o’clock swill’. Men crowd the bar to drink as much beer as possible ... [read more]
‘Wild things should be free’ (1976)
Mike (Greg Rowe) is overjoyed when Mr Percival, his pet pelican, returns after being set free. [read more]
The welcoming committee (1975)
After months of work, broke and hung over, the union shearers make their feelings plain as strikebreakers arrive to work for reduced wages. [read more]
Never Never Country (2000)
From 1936 Tom Kruse delivered mail and stores to outback properties along the remote Birdsville Track. In 1998, after 10 years of restoration of a Leyland Badger, Tom made one last run. Dave Burge, the organiser of the historic run, ... [read more]
Codenamed Marcoo (1956)
The explosion of Marcoo, one of the four nuclear fission bombs tested at Maralinga between September and October 1956. [read more]
Trains in Australia’s development (1991)
Trains played a major part in Australia’s economic and social development. Development followed the railway line and exports boomed. [read more]
The fatal hour (1938)
This clip shows a foreman and his worker ending work early for the day. They rush down to the pub ‘as fast as a radio announcer after English humour magazines on mail day’ to get in before the doors shut ... [read more]
‘An executioner’ (1997)
Euthanasia campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke talks about the difficulty of getting the necessary second opinion from a specialist before a termination can be carried out. Nitschke talks about the situation when relatives are not present and he is the only ... [read more]
‘Served by discerning hostesses’ (1932)
Wedding cakes, chocolate-coated biscuits and puddings are also produced at the biscuit factory. Tin containers, printed gift assortment tins and packaged boxes provide the final step in the process. [read more]
History of the TPO service (1985)
This clip uses stills from Australia Post’s extensive photographic collection to trace the early history of cooperation between the postal and rail services. Using New South Wales as the example, it goes on to explain how changes in communications technologies ... [read more]
Once a thriving river port (1976)
Peach strolls around banks of the Darling River in Bourke with local historian Alan Barton, telling of the time when the town was a thriving port. As Peach explains, Bourke, in the central west of New South Wales, was once ... [read more]
Riding on the sheep’s back (1976)
Bill Peach takes us inside the great shearing shed at Dunlop Station where we talk to the owner, Barney Murray. The clip shows the old sheds and rusted farming machinery, as well as the site of Dunlop’s old wharf. Dunlop ... [read more]
Somewhere special (2005)
Alison Anderson MLA Member for MacDonnell addresses a protest rally about standing up to the federal government and their intention to dump nuclear waste in the region. People march in peaceful protest. David Sweeney of the Australian Conservation Foundation ... [read more]
Signing oath of allegiance (1901)
This clip shows Sydney’s Archbishop, William Smith, welcoming Lord Hopetoun and Prime Minister Edmund Barton, and dignitaries to the swearing in of Australia’s first federal cabinet and for the reading of the Proclamation of the Constitution at Centennial Park, Sydney ... [read more]
Nations parade (c1941)
This colour segment begins with flags from a range of countries leading a nations parade through the streets of Adelaide. Elaborate floats representing various countries including France, China, Greece, the Netherlands and (the former) Yugoslavia pass by the camera. [read more]
Darwin streets and Chinatown (c1926)
In this short clip, the camera observes part of Darwin’s town centre, main street and shopfronts. People walking along the footpaths under shopfront verandahs look at the camera. A Chinese family walks into one of the shopfronts before the clip ... [read more]
