FILM AUSTRALIA COLLECTION

Title Details

Outback Patrol

Follows the annual patrol of an outback policeman in the Northern Territory.
Year : 1952 | Total Duration : 19 Minutes | Producer : Stanley Hawes
Director : Lee Robinson |
Opening titles including written introduction to the work of outback policemen who patrol whole of Northern Territory. Homestead with horses tied up outside. Man comes out and calls out to aboriginal man to see if horses ready. Family come out and wave goodbye as three men depart with several horses.
Access No. 126537 | 1 min 46 secs | 1950s | Harts Range (east of Alice Springs), NT, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Outback patrol made of policeman Robert Darkin, two aboriginal trackers and several horses, setting out at end of June for several months. Darkin shaking hands with two miners at small isolated mine. Patrol on sand dune. Patrol approaching government bore, checking water pump. Men checking horses and pouring water.
Access No. 126538 | 2 mins 17 secs | 1950s | Harts Range (east of Alice Springs), NT, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Aboriginal man being tried at outdoor court made up of outback policeman, Robert Darkin, two justices of the peace and representative from the Dept of Native Affairs. Outback policeman giving evidence in prosecution of man for possessing firearm. Man convicted without penalty.
Access No. 126539 | 1 min 49 secs | 1950s | Harts Range (east of Alice Springs), NT, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Aboriginal horseman galloping across outback station. Wife of outback policeman Robert Darkin talking to aboriginal stockman. She traces husband on radio as he arrives at outback cattle station. Couple talk and wife reports old man being sick.
Access No. 126540 | 2 mins 50 secs | 1950s | Harts Range (east of Alice Springs), NT, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Three men of outback patrol, policeman Robert Darkin and 2 aboriginal trackers, go to remote home of old man (water drawer) who has been reported sick. They look around but no one there. Aboriginal tracker finds tracks and the patrol follow. Lose tracks, willy-willy blowing sand. (Non indigenous policeman talks to aboriginal men in broken English and refers to them as black fellas).
Access No. 126541 | 3 mins 42 secs | 1950s | Harts Range (east of Alice Springs), NT, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
Three men of outback patrol search for sick old man who has wandered away from his remote camp. Aboriginal tracker looking for lost tracks. Policeman Robert Darkin comes over, they talk and look for scarce tracks together on rock face.
Access No. 126543 | 3 mins 11 secs | 1950s | Harts Range (east of Alice Springs), NT, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |
CU footprint and dingo tracks in sand, birds circle above, sound of howling. Outback patrol find old man unconscious, administer water. Policeman Robert Darkin writes note asking for flying doctor and sends aboriginal tracker galloping away on horseback with note. Line of dust. Darkin carries sick old man with him on horse.
Access No. 126544 | 3 mins 22 secs | 1950s | Harts Range (east of Alice Springs), NT, Australia | © NFSA | B&W |