Australian Department of Information

Shot with a big cowboy nod to the Western genre, this road safety film shows the danger of speeding on an unknown country road at night.

Australia’s greatest engineering undertaking, the Snowy River Hydroelectric Scheme, in the Southern Alps, is changing the geography of an area as big as Switzerland by completely altering the course of streams and rivers, and is intended to bring into agricultural production double the area now served by irrigation, and to provide double Australia’s present output of electrical power.

This film is an official record of the operations made by the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) between November 1947 and April 1948. Following the voyages of the naval vessel LST 3501 and the HMAS Wyatt Earp, it documents the steps taken to establish Australia's first permanent sub-Antarctic scientific bases on Heard and Macquarie Islands.

An Australia propaganda war film documenting the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. Nominated for the Academy Award.

The way of life for people living along the tropic of Capricorn in Queensland 1965. Farming and mining are the main industries in this area of Australia and the only way to get around is by road train, train or plane. The hard way of life for these people is portrayed in this film.

Australian newsreel, telling of the besieged Australian forces in Tobruk. Coverage shows dawn patrols, wrecks in Tobruk Harbour, tank patrols, anti-aircraft action against German planes, gun barrages, etc. also seen is the grave of first Australian VC (Victoria Cross) Corporal Edmondson and his mother at home holding the award.

A short newsreel capturing active siege conditions, daily frontline trench life, and material destruction in Tobruk, Libya, during World War II. Guided by a firsthand account of the embedded war correspondent Jan H Yindrich, this film highlights the reality of the Allied forces defending the blockaded port city.

Industries in Northern Queensland.

Radio is one of the most important communication technologies ever invented and has been a vital tool in helping Australians overcome the tyranny of distance both nationally and internationally.

In post-war Australia, the milling of our nation's prized hardwood timbers was a rapidly growing industry. Mechanisation introduced economies in the handling, but the skill and stamina of the axe-men were still indispensable in timber-getting. This short film looks at the work of the men living in bush sawmill camps.

A short film compiled from actuality footage during the Western Desert Campaign in North Africa, World War II. This film shows frontline military operations, tactical movements and troop advancements through the desert.

Made by The National Film Board 1947. Directed by Catherine Duncan. Christmas in Australia is a mid summer festival, with temperatures rising high. Over the years many of the traditional northern hemisphere Christmas customs have been modified to fit the climate. Cool drinks have taken the place of hot refreshments and much time is spent out of doors but the spirit of Christmas is unchanged and Santa Clause still arrives with snow glistening in his beard!

A short wartime propaganda film documenting the initial progress of the AIF 6th Division during the Western Desert Campaign of WWII. The film records the rapid allied advance across the desert before the fall of Bardia. Released as a "newsreel scoop", it was heavily cut down beforehand as the government prioritised fast-paced propaganda over Hurley's cinematic approach. Some of this cut footage was later distributed into global newsreels, such as British Pathé's "Rapid Advance in Libya".

From the Film Australia Collection. Made by The National Film Board 1947. Directed by Eric Thompson. Ipswich, Queensland, Australia, is very unlike Ipswich, England, after which it was named.

The film illustrates the fact that Australia's Newcastle, like its British counterpart, has developed into a large city but still retains its essential mining atmosphere. The great steel industry which feeds on its black gold is shown in full blast. But the film reaches beyond coal, steel and the activity of a great port into the lives of the people of Newcastle. It covers not only the mines and the mills but moves into the dwelling and working places and the natural beauty of their surroundings where they find their pleasures.

Classroom film, depicting a young boy and his mother taking a train ride.

Australian railway film from 1953, showcasing the beauty of train travel.

Shows how tourists get to the Centre (Central Australia). Includes: Aboriginal rock paintings, the Devil's Marbles, Tennant Creek, gold crushing plant, Elsey Station (home of Aeneas Gunn - shows graves on the property), Manton Dam, Darwin being rebuilt after the war.

The 1947 Australian Rules Football VFL Grand Final of the Victorian Football Leageu (VFL) seen in this film was played between the teams Carlton and Essendon.