FILM AUSTRALIA COLLECTION

Title Details

Populate or Perish

Recalls the fear and insularity that has shaped Australia's population policy.
Series : Australian Experience, The | Year : 1995 | Total Duration : 55 Minutes | Producer : Susan Ardill (Producer), Clare Bonham (Co-Producer)
Director : Susan Ardill |
Fast travelling aerial over ocean. Dissolve to high aerial red outback desert, then high aerial of ridged green plains. High aerial over red outback.
Access No. 79619 | 25 secs | 1990s | Australia | © Film World | Colour |
Aerial of grey coloured flat outback POV plane on a tilt.
Access No. 79620 | 6 secs | 1990s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Aerial of flat red outback land with dirt road crossing landscape.
Access No. 79628 | 5 secs | 1990s | Australia | © Film World | Colour |
Aerial flat sandy desert land
Access No. 79641 | 3 secs | 1990s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Angled aerial of flat red outback with dark ridges in distance. Aerials of city high rise buildings, CBD.
Access No. 79646 | 13 secs | 1990s | Australia | © Film World | Colour |
General Holmes Drive, Mascot. Traffic entering tunnel as Philippines aeroplane 747 jumbo jet taxis along runway above road. Air traffic control tower in B/G. VS travellers, tourists and passengers arrive at Sydney Airport Kingsford Smith terminal wheeling luggage trolleys. Welcomes, greetings, people hugging. Titles.
Access No. 79654 | 1 min 8 secs | 1990s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
LS silhouette of troop of boy scouts raising flag for Australia Day celebrations, 26th January, 1995. Cemetery on hillside with ocean in B/G. Pan from wharves to sandstone plaque commemorating the arrival of Captain Arthur Philip in 1788.
Access No. 79658 | 28 secs | 1990s | Kurnell, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival footage. Pan along beach. Covered wagon being pulled by team bullocks and with family of father, mother and two children in the back. Wagon surrounded by sheep. Pan along group of women and men in full swimsuits or bathers, second shot of same group singing
Access No. 79669 | 40 secs | 1920s | Australia | © Film World | B&W |
Archival footage of MS of Prime Minister, William Morris, Billy, Hughes walks through gateway towards camera.
Access No. 79679 | 3 secs | 1920s | Australia | © National Film and Sound Archive | B&W |
Archival footage of old car bumping through rough terrain with men pushing through a gully and dry river bed. Car through long kangaroo grass
Access No. 79681 | 27 secs | 1940s | Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Archival footage of derelict car frame in desert outback. POV from back of car as it leaves homestead with family group watching departing car. LS of homestead in distance. Slow pan past grave and headstone in desert with mail truck passing in distance. LS of ruined mudbrick and stone building abandoned in the outback. High aerials over desert showing gullies and ridges
Access No. 79682 | 48 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Contact Film Australia Collection Library | B&W |
Archival footage of various shots of CBD streets busy with pedestrians and traffic. Map showing expansion of Japanese domination after the fall of Singapore in World War II. Japanese soldiers running through built up area of town. WS of the bombing of Darwin. Boat exploding in harbour after being hit by bombs. Air to air Japanese bombers in flight. Plume black smoke from bombed city. Many bombers in flight POV ground. Soldiers loading anti aircraft gun. Very high aerial over Sydney showing shape of harbour. WS of Sydney skyline. Two shots of steelworks with workers leaving at the end of shift.
Access No. 79689 | 1 min 3 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Film World | B&W |
Pan over map of the world , then map of United States of America, USA, overlaid on map of Australia to show comparative size.
Access No. 79690 | 17 secs | 1940s | © NFSA | B&W |
Colour archival footage of large passenger liner sailing under Sydney Harbor bridge, POV north side of harbour.
Access No. 79691 | 6 secs | 1950s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
VS of people assembled in Randwick Town Hall for citizenship, naturalisation ceremony. Audience stand for Mayor Chris Bastic's entrance. Interview, with economist, Jock Collins about origins of term, Populate or Perish.
Access No. 79694 | 46 secs | 1990s | Randwick, Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival footage of Arthur Calwell (Minister for Immigration, 1945- 49) speaking about the need to build Australia's population
Access No. 79703 | 20 secs | 1950s | Australia | © Contact Film Australia Collection Library | B&W |
Interview with economist, Jock Collins about the need for immigration to supply the labour market in Australia. Colour archival shot of nurse holding new born baby then putting baby into crib or cot. CU of baby's face. VS of citizenship ceremony at Randwick Town Hall, 1995, including singing of the National Anthem and pan past the Australian and Aboriginal flags WS of cups and saucers on table, line of conifer trees in small plastic containers.
Access No. 79704 | 1 min | 1990s, 1950s, | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival footage of migrant ship at sea. VS of migrants on board ship, taking lessons about Australia before their arrival. Pan past two small British boys wearing striped ties and on board migrant ship. Arthur Calwell (Minister for Immigration, 1945- 49) speaks to several radio microphones about the number of immigrants coming to Australia in 1949.
Access No. 79708 | 39 secs | 1940s | Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Various shots of migrants taking the oath at citizenship (naturalisation) ceremony in Randwick Town Hall.
Access No. 79712 | 34 secs | 1990s | Randwick, Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival footage of Arthur Calwell (Minister for Immigration, 1945- 49) answering questions about immigration and whether at anytime if he consider taking immigrants from non-European markets and the selling of the White Australia Policy to the Australian people.
Access No. 79713 | 17 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Contact Film Australia Collection Library | B&W |
Archival footage of immigrants arriving at airport. MS of woman holding baby and waving. VS of people greeting, welcoming, smiling and crying. Group of boys waving. People coming down gangplank of ship. Woman with four young children. New migrants stepping onto bus.
Access No. 79714 | 29 secs | 1950s | Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Large group of men, women and children toward camera. Two shots of ship, migrants waving from deck and men walking down gangplank with their suitcases. Signage, Orient Line on gangplank.
Access No. 79726 | 28 secs | 1950s | Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Various shots at citizenship (naturalisation) ceremony at Randwick Town Hall. Includes shots of new citizens receiving certificate from Randwick Mayor, Chris Bastic, while friends and relatives take photographs. Includes one shot of empty cups and saucers lined up on table.
Access No. 79731 | 29 secs | 1990s | Randwick, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival colour footage of migrant men walking down street as they leave work. Many cars angle parked in BG. Hand placing Òwaitress wantedÓ sign in shop window. Fettlers working on rail lines, CU of rail lines as train runs over. High angle shot of pedestrians in the street. Vacancy sign from Department of Government Transport NSW showing positions exist for tram conductors, tradesmen and labourers. Production line of cars, male worker pushes red open topped or partly constructed car along assembly line. Intercut with economist, Jock Collins interview
Access No. 79732 | 1 min 2 secs | 1950s, 1990s, | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Various shots at citizenship (naturalisation) ceremony at Randwick Town Hall. Includes shots of new citizens receiving certificate from Randwick Mayor Chris Bastic while friends and relatives take photographs. Speech given by Mayor at ceremony. VS of airport arrivals. LS of Sydney Airport terminal and good shots of electronic arrivals board and pan down list of airlines on arrivals board. Map of Australia
Access No. 79743 | 2 mins 6 secs | 1990s | Randwick, Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
High aerial over the span of the Sydney Harbour Bridge with light traffic passing below.
Access No. 79756 | 3 secs | 1990s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Film World | Colour |
Jogger in shorts running with his dog along curved path. Aerials of Sydney harbour and surrounding suburbs. Two women and two small children on the beach. Travelling shot of restaurants with outdoor tables lining Stanley Street Sydney. High aerial of joggers on a coastal bush jogging track. Two pedestrians crossing and Darlinghurst side street. High angle shot of beach scene with small children in shallow water being watched by their parents. Traffic passing camera with high rise apartment buildings in B/G. Tilt down the Anzac Bridge span with high rise apartment block in half frame.
Access No. 79757 | 25 secs | 1990s | Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
POV ground to air of large jet aeroplane in take off as it flies overhead.
Access No. 79766 | 3 secs | 1990s | Australia | © Australian Tourist Commission | Colour |
WS of traffic, high rise apartment buildings and a corner of the Anzac Bridge span. Intersection in Darlinghurst busy with traffic and people. Decorated, painted Qantas 747 jumbo jet plane in take off against a grey sky. Travelling shot past high rise apartment block.
Access No. 79767 | 29 secs | 1990s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Archival footage of aerial over Sydney harbour, Sydney Harbour bridge and Circular Quay and suburbs
Access No. 79771 | 28 secs | 1950s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Map of Australia with Sydney and Cherrybrook highlighted. Travelling shot through Cherrybrook area showing new housing and construction. Interview with real estate agent, Deborah O'Brien about the changes and new development in the suburb. Interview with architect, Peter Tonkin sitting with architectural plans on desk. CU of house design on plan.
Access No. 79775 | 1 min 21 secs | 1990s | Cherrybrook, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Colour archival footage of man and woman down suburban street and looking at a new timber flat roofed house. WS of unusual 1950s two storey apartment block. WS triple fronted brick house. Man approaches white Holden car and opens door for woman, driver enters from opposite side of car so that all three are in front bench seat.
Access No. 79782 | 17 secs | 1950s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Travelling shot POV passing car of suburban Sydney street with very large two storey brick houses, LS of man mowing front lawn. CU of lawnmower and pan to interview with Kawing and Alan Fong about why they live in the suburbs. Interview with couple standing in their backyard. I/V with real estate agent, Deborah O'Brien, while she is driving, about public transport in new suburban areas.
Access No. 79788 | 1 min 48 secs | 1990s | Cherrybrook, Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B/W archival footage high angle WS of busy street with cars and pedestrians. CU railway crossing sign. Railway crossing barricades opening to allow traffic to flow through. Man leading flock of sheep across road while traffic waits.
Access No. 79798 | 17 secs | 1950s | Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
VS of heavy traffic along various Sydney roads, flags flying, high angle shot of major road.
Access No. 79803 | 25 secs | 1990s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B/W archival footage of woman sitting down on park bench and rubbing her forehead as if tired
Access No. 79808 | 6 secs | 1950s | © NFSA | B&W |
Interview with urban planner, Dr. Peter Murphy about managing population growth in relation to the environment. Travelling shot past container ship at wharf and rows of new car imports. Travelling shot POV car around a cul de sac in a new Sydney suburb with large housing development. Real estate agent, Deborah O'Brien interview as she drives a car, talks about the benefits of new housing estates. Peter Murphy I/V about population growth in Australian cities. VS of Sydney Airport with travellers pushing luggage on trolleys, departure and arrival signs above entrances. Hazy WS of Sydney skyline with planes taxiing in F/G at Sydney Airport. Qantas plane in take off on third runway over General Holmes drive.
Access No. 79809 | 1 min 34 secs | 1990s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
POV ground to air of large passenger jet plane as it lands on tarmac. Billow of smoke from wheels as tyres touch down.
Access No. 79821 | 14 secs | 1990s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Australian Tourist Commission | Colour |
JAL plane taxies across overhead (third) runway above General Holmes Drive, Mascot Sydney, control tower in BG. and traffic entering tunnel under runway. Map of Australia. Distant shot of plane in air. Interview with Kurnell resident, Craig Cleaver about the noise pollution of the flight path.
Access No. 79822 | 26 secs | 1990s | © NFSA | Colour |
B/W archival footage of large crowd of people jostle to board tram. Tram passes waiting passengers, policeman directing traffic and large crowd of pedestrians cross road. CU on pedestrians feet.
Access No. 79825 | 15 secs | 1950s | Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Interview with resident Craig Cleaver sitting on lawn of fibro house about the stress of living in the city. POV ground to air of plane flying overhead. Craig with wife and child on lawn. Interview with urban planner, Dr. Peter Murphy about city planning. Anti aircraft noise demonstration at Kurnell, Sydney. VS of the protesters, giving speeches, holding placards.
Access No. 79832 | 1 min 51 secs | 1990s | Kurnell, Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
VS night travelling shot along city street of restaurants and shops.
Access No. 79840 | 13 secs | 1990s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Australian Tourist Commission | Colour |
Map Australia with Sydney and Darlinghurst highlighted. Looking down from balcony of home unit to narrow Darlinghurst street below. Darrin Wahlstrom and Linden David interview about living in an apartment in the inner city.
Access No. 79841 | 52 secs | 1990s | Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Night travelling shot along city street past restaurants and shops
Access No. 79845 | -24 mins -48 secs | 1990s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © Australian Tourist Commission | Colour |
Interview with architect, Peter Tonkin about whether the a city is more culturally diverse because of its size and opportunities. Man walking down stairs. Darrin Wahlstrom and Linden David working out at City Gym, Darlinghurst. Both walking along Crown Street with gym gear. I/V with them about diversity in population coming with numbers. People on fast ride in amusement park, Luna Park. People on dodgem car ride. Robyn Spencer (Australians Against Further Immigration) interview about her anti - immigration stance, CU of badge on lapel ÒAustralia is fullÓ and book The Path to National Suicide. Interview Ross Tzannes (Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia) about the success of multicultural Australia.
Access No. 79846 | 3 mins 12 secs | 1990s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Man mowing front lawn of large duplex suburban Sydney house. Interview with Alan and Kawing Fong about the cultural mix of Australian's population. Interview with Ross Tzannes (Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia) about racism.
Access No. 79859 | 32 secs | 1990s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B/W archival footage Asian men getting out of police truck, illegal immigrants being deported from Australia, man kissing small child goodbye, mother crying and holding small girl looking at camera, woman crying.
Access No. 79862 | 11 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Film World | B&W |
Man shouting to camera at a Nazi rally, (Melbourne, 1994) skinheads with Eureka flag and sign Ò Independence for AustraliaÓ. Banner ÒAsians are Welcome Stop the RacistsÓ.
Access No. 79866 | 10 secs | 1990s | Melbourne, Vic, Australia | © ABC Footage Sales | Colour |
Interview with Robyn Spencer , Australians Against Further Immigration, about her anti immigrations views. Man mowing lawn, Kawing and Alan Fong interview about Australian tolerance to multiculturalism. WS of their large house.
Access No. 79868 | 52 secs | 1990s | Cherrybrook, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Anti immigration sign ÒIf the Greenhouse doesn't sink us immigration willÓ. People holding placards Environmental Sustainability
Access No. 79871 | 7 secs | 1990s | Australia | © ABC Footage Sales | Colour |
Interview with economist, Jock Collins about population growth and the environment. WS of boat sailing on Botany Bay with city skyline in B/G. Young girl sitting on rockwall with Aboriginal and Australian flags in B/G. Pan of Kurnell oil refinery, plane taking off over white oil tanks of Kurnell. Older man swimming in ocean, children snorkelling and playing in water and on sand. Interview with Tim Flannery about the effect of urban consolidation on Australia's wildlife. VS of animal specimens which are now extinct in museum. Interview with Jock Collins about isolationist views of immigration
Access No. 79873 | 2 mins 10 secs | 1990s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Interview with Ross Tzannes , Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia, about optimum population numbers and draws an analogy with the rabbit plague. CU on volumes of Australian Digest books.
Access No. 79887 | 30 secs | 1990s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B/W archival footage of row of rabbit skins on wire fence, man carries more. Rabbit running to rabbit fence trying to escape.
Access No. 79890 | 10 secs | 1930s | Australia | © Film World | B&W |
Pan of flat desert outback landscape. Map of Australia showing location of Tibooburra. Old derelict building or shed with rusty wheel in F/G in outback landscape. VS of bush, one shot POV inside looking out through doorway of shed. Interview with National Parks & Wildlife Service ranger, Paul Jennings, about the population of Tibooburra. VS of public buildings in Tibooburra, hotel, CWA Hall, main street. Zoom in on red cracked earth. LS of corrugated iron water tank on wooden supports. Timber frame of old farm building. Road sign to Tibooburra and Broken Hill. Travelling shot past rugged outback flat desert, then Tibooburra buildings
Access No. 79892 | 1 min 57 secs | 1990s | Tibooburra, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Exterior Tibooburra Supply Store, petrol pump. Pan interior to shopkeeper, Jacqueline Brown interview about how she came to Tibooburra and how the town would benefit from a growth in population . Horses wandering on main street of Tibooburra. Interview with Paul Jennings about keeping population low in Tibooburra. Tibooburra Gold Course of red dirt and corrugated iron club house. Travelling shot past outback scenes.
Access No. 79910 | 1 min 48 secs | 1990s | Tibooburra, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Travelling shot past suburbs near Byron Bay with ocean in B/G. High aerials over coastal suburbs and housing development along beaches and beachfront. Interview with population consultant, Bernard Salt. Map showing location of Gold Coast and Cairns. High aerial over Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise. Low angle travelling shot past high rise accommodation and apartments. VS of beach activities on Surfers paradise beach. Monorail in Sea World. LS of high rise on Gold Coast.
Access No. 79922 | 58 secs | 1990s | Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, Qld, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Interview with population consultant, Bernard Salt about the movement of Australians from other states to Queensland. Road signs for Tullamarine Drive, Manly Drive, Manly Glade, Chatswood Court.
Access No. 79931 | 14 secs | 1990s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Aerial along high rise buildings Gold Coast Queensland.
Access No. 79933 | 24 secs | 1990s | Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Qld | © Australian Tourist Commission | Colour |
Interview with population consultant, Bernard Salt describing new developments on Gold Coast and stating the area would become a major metropolitan area. Pan of new construction. Hazy LS of high rise buildings in Surfers Paradise with crane in corner of frame. WS of high rise with transmission towers in F/G. Interview architect, Peter Tonkin about coastal development. Low angle WS of high rise apartment buildings on Gold Coast POV from beach. Map showing Gold Coast and Byron Bay.
Access No. 79934 | 1 min 30 secs | 1990s | Surfers paradise, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
LS deserted beach at Byron Bay, VS of beach scenes, couple walking the beach, waves rolling into shore, Julian Rocks in distance. Interview glassblower, Colin Heaney in his gallery and his views about fighting development in Byron Bay. Travelling shots of lush green hinterland of Byron Bay, bus terminal in main street, people in the beach sunbaking, traffic in main street, real estate agency, tourist information board, flock of domestic ducks. Interview with Gwen Weir about living in Byron Bay. Caravan through main street. Zoom in over hinterland to coastal view.
Access No. 79948 | 1 min 34 secs | 1990s | Byron Bay, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Cattle under tree in lush long green grass in Byron bay hinterland. VS of real estate for sale signs. Interview with Gwen Weir about opposing rezoning near her property. Interview with Byron Shire councillor, Ross Tucker about the hypocrisy of new residents not wanting any more people to move to the Byron Bay area. VS of his property. WS of backpackers using public telephones in Byron Bay. Walkers on beach. Mike Berwick, Mayor of Douglas Shire, addressing a meeting of local residents about limiting development and population growth. Interview Ross Tucker, interview Colin Heaney about alternative areas for growth.
Access No. 79969 | 4 mins 19 secs | 1990s | Byron Bay, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Very brief WS of deserted Byron Bay beach. Real estate for sale signs, new housing development in Byron Bay , roof tilers at work. Interview with glassblower, Colin Heaney about whether the local community can set the limit to the population numbers in the area. VS of group of Byron Bay residents around restaurant table at night. Includes Douglas Shire Mayor Mike Berwick, Colin Heaney, Editor of The Byron Shire Echo Nicholas Shand, Solicitor Wroth Wall, Owner of Byronian Cafe, Tim Wilson and Gwen Weir arguing over limiting population growth in the area.
Access No. 79984 | 3 mins 47 secs | 1990s | Byron Bay, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B/W archival footage people gathered around plane on tarmac. Passengers alighting plane by small steps to tarmac. Men down gangplank of ship. Arthur Calwell (Minister for Immigration, 1945- 49) at microphone addressing group of migrant men gathered around him.
Access No. 79992 | 33 secs | 1940s | Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Low angle LS of turning ferris wheel lit at night. CU of structure. VS of people of fast fun ride. VS of people and children on dodgem cars ride at Luna Park.
Access No. 79997 | 45 secs | 1990s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Gate D at arrivals area of Sydney Airport with people arriving wheeling trolleys of luggage. Arrivals sign. MS of Asian families arriving from planes, hugs and greetings, welcoming gestures. Map of Australia with graphic for population in 2050 being an unknown quantity. Interview with Dr. Tim Flannery (The Australian Museum) about the rapid growth of population in Australia, doubling every 35- 40 years. Economist, Jock Collins interview about the validity of forecasting population numbers.
Access No. 80001 | 1 min 23 secs | 1990s | Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
Plane landing left to right and second plane coming into shot from behind camera.
Access No. 80009 | 7 secs | 1990s | Australia | © Australian Tourist Commission | Colour |
Interview with economist, Jock Collins arguing against an isolationist policy for Australia. JAL plane landing on third runway over General Holmes Drive. Dr. Tim Flannery (The Australian Museum) argues for keeping the population small. Asian travellers arriving at airport.
Access No. 80010 | 34 secs | 1990s | Sydney, NSW, Australia | © NFSA | Colour |
B/W archival footage of Australian soldiers struggling to deport Malaysian man.
Access No. 80014 | 7 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Film World | B&W |
Asian travellers arriving at Sydney airport. Low angle shot of orange rollercoaster, Big Dipper, at Luna Park against a clear blue sky, then against high rise buildings of North Sydney. WS of cemetery at Bronte, statue of weeping Mary. WS of Bondi headland.
Access No. 80015 | 1 min 42 secs | 1990s | © Film World | Colour |
Graphic of map of Australia with British White Australia inside map.
Access No. 138130 | 4 secs | 1940s | Australia | © Contact Film Australia Collection Library | B&W |