Film Collection Highlights
The State Library holds many interesting films made in, or about, Western Australia, showing different aspects of the State's history over a period of years. The following films are some of the "gems" of the collection, covering a wide range of subjects and dates, but many others can be located through the State Library Catalogue.
Perth Street Scenes, 1907 [videorecording] : 3 September 1907
Filmed in 1907, it shows brief footage of the crowd, carts, carriages and bicycles in several Perth Streets including Barrack Street, St. George's Terrace, Hay Street and William Street.
Royal Show 1909 [motion picture]
Filmed in 1909, it shows a view of the showground with a train passing in the background, the Grandstand, Sir Gerald Strickland opening the show, horses, the Grand Parade of beef and dairy cattle, crowds and showground buildings, a trotting race, the judging of horse and buggies and horse jumping.
A Trip to Rottnest [videorecording]
Filmed in 1912, it shows a ferry trip to Rottnest with views of Fremantle Harbour, ships, lighthouses, bridges, wharves and Rottnest.
Official Film of the Busy Bee Organised to Repair the Main Road Between Cottesloe and North Fremantle [videorecording]
Filmed in 1914, it shows a busy bee organised to repair the main road between Cottesloe and North Fremantle.
The Commonwealth's Trans-Australian Railway [videorecording] Filmed in 1917 during the building of the Trans-Australian railway, it shows the track laying machine, the construction of dams for water, Port Augusta, passengers enjoying one of the first journeys across the Nullarbor, various stops of interest, such as Tarcoola, Indigenous people with the passengers and the arrival at Kalgoorlie.
Western Australia : the Land of Opportunity [videorecording]
Filmed in 1920, it promoted the concept and sale of land at Kendenup, it shows views from a train approaching Kendenup, cameramen at Perth and Kendenup Railway Stations, the Hassell Homestead, Kendenup Hall and school and various brick buildings under construction. Footage also includes C.J. de Garis and Fred Murphy, children kicking a football, Dog Rock, Hordern Monument, Stirling Terrace in Albany and various scenes around Kendenup and the Stirling Ranges.
The Golden West [videorecording]
Filmed in 1929 for Western Australia's centenary, it is a survey of Western Australia and includes a brief history and details of gold mining and Kalgoorlie, Mundaring Weir, agricultural products, timber, the wine industry and views of Perth.
Albany : Queen City of the South [motion picture]
Filmed in 1932, it is a nostalgic film of Albany describing the main tourist attractions and environs.
Among the Hardwoods [motion picture]
Filmed in 1936 probably in and around Pemberton, it is a documentary about the timber industry in Western Australia using natural sounds and beautifully composed images of the bush.
Sir Frederick Samson : Personal Film / Samson Film Collection. Reel 6. [Air Raid Wardens, Fremantle] [videorecording]
Filmed from 1940-1945 at Fremantle, it shows various views of Fremantle "at war."
Abrolhos Bound [videorecording]
Filmed in 1947, it shows the town of Geraldton and its buildings and industries and also the Abrolhos Islands off the coast of Western Australia including their reefs, flora and fauna.
Westralian News Compilation [videorecording]
Filmed in 1947, it shows various news stories made by Westralian News including an aviation test flight, the Lady Gowrie Children's Centre, a road race at Yanchep, a Perth taxidermist, a movie street quiz, a strange foster parent, the Royal Automobile Club conference, a windjammer, a Red Cross blood transfusion, some zoo news and optical art.
1947 Inter-Dominion Trotting Championship and Related Activities [vidoerecording]
Filmed in 1947, it shows Gloucester Park and several of the heats of the Inter-dominion trotting championship held over 12-22 February. It also shows visits to Yanchep Park, Garden Island, Rockingham and Araluen.
The Mineral Wealth of Western Australia [videorecording]
Filmed in 1963, it shows the major developments in mineral exploration in Western Australia in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including the Hamersley iron ore region, asbestos mining at Wittenoom, mineral sand mining at Capel and bauxite mining in the Darling Range.
Moving Mountains [videorecording]
Filmed in 1966, it is a documentary about the operation of Hamersley Iron at Mount Tom Price and the transport of iron ore to Dampier by rail. It shows a shot-line, the transport of ore by haulpak and rail, conveyors at the dump, the diesel driven power station and control room and the loading of a ship in the port of Dampier (aerial views of the port, salt flats and Dampier are included).
Page last updated: Tuesday 23 November 2010
