All titles in the ‘Health’ genre
38 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year
1920s
Sewerage of a Great City: Melbourne sponsored film – c1922
By the time this sponsored documentary was made, over 166,000 homes and 70,000 people were, according to its intertitles, 'enjoying the benefits of sewerage’ in Melbourne.
1930s
The Growing Child sponsored film – 1938
What has changed in the last 70 years is how the public health message is delivered. Rather than highlight dire consequences, this short film positively reinforces correct behaviour.
1940s
Poisoned Daggers sponsored film – c1941
The evocative title lends a sense of drama to the message being conveyed: that the mosquito’s bite is a threat not just to the health of the community, but also the war effort.
Disturber of the Peace sponsored film – c1945
A short government announcement advising citizens to consider each other’s need for sleep and to keep noise levels low when others are sleeping.
The Constant Threat sponsored film – 1946
This short film promotes the importance of having a free chest x-ray, provided by the NSW Department of Public Health, to test for tuberculosis.
Take the Tempo from the Teeth sponsored film – 1948
An early promotional film advocating milk as a key part of a balanced diet, with teeth acting as the barometer for good health.
1950s
Eyes Right sponsored film – c1950
A short public awareness film about the importance of eye health. It explains how our eyes function and how to protect them.
White River of Life sponsored film – c1950
A short government film made in the early 1950s to promote the health qualities of milk and milk-based foods.
The Bones of Building sponsored film – 1956
This Waterside Workers’ Federation Film Unit production is a safety film for building workers, commissioned by the Building Workers’ Industrial Union.
The Happy Years sponsored film – c1958
This film showcases the health services provided to state school students.
Think Twice sponsored film – 1958
This occupational safety film for metalworkers highlights three main sources of injury – heat, rays and fumes – and illustrates safe and unsafe ways to operate in the workplace.
1960s
Argentine Ants Advertisement advertisement – 1968
In this television ad, Barry Crocker encourages kids to hunt Argentine ants in their local neighbourhood for a $10 reward.
1970s
Size 10 documentary – 1978
Size 10 is about how four young women break free of the pressure to conform to beauty and fashion norms.
1980s
Backs to the Blast, an Australian Nuclear Story documentary – 1981
Made 25 years after nuclear tests were conducted in SA in the 1950s, this documentary stirred up a political hornet’s nest.
Suzi’s Story documentary – 1987
A mother who has contracted AIDS bravely decides to make a film of the experience.
1990s
Midwives … Lullabies … and Mother Earth documentary – 1993
In Europe from the late 14th to the 17th centuries, many midwives were accused of being witches and burnt at the stake.
The Trouble With Medicine: Conceiving the Future television program – 1993
This is a thought-provoking program about advances in medicine, which we leave in the hands of doctors at our peril.
Alicia documentary – 1996
Alicia and her parents believe the family’s collective faith aided her recovery from a brain injury sustained in a car accident.
Billal documentary – 1996
Skilled documentarian, Tom Zubrycki, set out to make a film about young Lebanese-Australians in Sydney but had to change tack.
Final Insult documentary – 1997
When some people are 'allergic to the 20th century’ they become captives in their own homes.
No More Needles Please documentary – 1997
Since the age of two, James has required two daily injections of insulin to keep him alive. Now 12, he explores options for people with diabetes.
Was That Really Me? documentary – 1997
Tracey’s response to her baby’s crying led her to realise that there was something wrong. An insight into postnatal depression.
Where Angels Fear To Tread documentary – 1997
Explores the political situation relating to voluntary euthanasia in the Northern Territory through the point of view of controversial figure Dr Philip Nitschke.
Least Said, Soonest Mended documentary – 1999
When she was 16, Val had a baby out of wedlock and was coerced to have her adopted out. After 25 years, Val and her daughter make contact.
Sadness documentary – 1999
Australian photographer William Yang explores loss, love and identity as he investigates a family murder and honours the lives of friends who have died from AIDS.
2000s
Good Girls Do Swallow documentary – 2000
Dumb Idiotic Eating Trauma – Rachael Oakes-Ash takes a witty look at widespread dieting and its sometimes deadly consequences.
Narbalek documentary – 2001
Narbalek is one of more than 100 documentaries made in the Nganampa Anwernekenhe Series, designed primarily for Indigenous audiences.
Big Girls Don’t Cry documentary – 2002
This is about Indigenous women living with renal disease, and their strength pulls at the heart strings.
Helen’s War: Portrait of a Dissident documentary – 2003
Filmmaker Anna Brionowski follows her aunt, anti-nuclear activist Dr Helen Caldicott, for a year to capture the feelings of frustration and urgency of a 30-year campaign.
Time Bomb documentary – 2003
A time bomb’ is how Frank Djara, a diabetic and the first male health worker in Areyonga, refers to living with diabetes.
Betelnut Bisnis documentary – 2004
Betelnut is the fourth most consumed legal substance in the world after tobacco, alcohol and caffeine.
Selling Sickness documentary – 2004
Direct-to-consumer advertising and newly created diseases such as ‘premenstrual dysphoric disorder’ have led to overuse of antidepressant drugs.
Abortion, Corruption and Cops: The Bertram Wainer Story documentary – 2005
The powerful story of Bertram Wainer’s crusade to overturn the laws against abortion in 1960s Victoria and the web of corruption he uncovered as a result.
Australian Story – With This Ring television program – 2005
Australian Story revisits remarkable couple the Shanns, two years after Gayle became entangled in a drilling machine on their property.
Super Flu: Race Against a Killer documentary – 2005
In 1997, Avian flu erupted in Hong Kong and crossed over into the human population. This is a report on the world’s preparedness for an airborne pandemic.
A Hard Rain documentary – 2007
A Hard Rain came out of David Bradbury’s concern that Australia was about to embark on the biggest environmental disaster since white settlement.
Rachel: A Perfect Life documentary – 2007
An intimate, observational documentary following a young woman as she goes through brain surgery to control her epilepsy.
Rare Chicken Rescue documentary – 2008
After a battle with depression Queensland chicken breeder Mark Tully embarks on a mission to protect the endangered chickens who, he reckons, saved his life.
