Graphic with gradient colours of teal and blue and the year 2008 and a series of dots partially over the top.

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Sounds of Australia 2008

Ten sound recordings with cultural, historical and aesthetic significance were added to Sounds of Australia for 2008.

This year's sounds include the sound of a koala grunting, the first known recording of 'Waltzing Matilda', Slim Dusty's best known song, the voice of Donald Bradman and an anthem of the Aboriginal land rights movement.

Established in 2007, Sounds of Australia is the NFSA’s selection of sound recordings which inform or reflect life in Australia. Each year, the Australian public nominates new sounds to be added with final selections determined by a panel of industry experts.

See the Complete Sounds of Australia list.

Bird and Animal Calls of Australia: Male koala grunting

NFSA-ID:

NFSA ID

255276

Year:

Year

1968

The voice-over announces 'the male koala grunting’. We hear a series of deep-voiced grunts similar to the sounds of a large pig.

Summary by Maryanne Doyle

A Pub With No Beer by Slim Dusty

NFSA-ID:

NFSA ID

190647

Year:

Year

1957

This is the first verse of the original 1957 recording of ‘A Pub With No Beer’ sung by Slim Dusty. The song was composed by Gordon Parsons, with lyrics inspired by Dan Sheahan’s poem.

The Aeroplane Jelly Song by Joy King

NFSA-ID:

NFSA ID

402848 & 281850

Year:

Year

1938

A popular radio jingle advertising an Australian brand of jelly crystals. The song was recorded in 1938 and broadcast on Sydney radio in the 1940s – up to 100 times a day.

Summary by Maryanne Doyle

We Have Survived by No Fixed Address

NFSA-ID:

NFSA ID

210397

Year:

Year

1981

In this clip we hear the landmark Aboriginal protest song 'We Have Survived’, as performed by No Fixed Address on the soundtrack of 'Wrong Side of the Road' (1981).

Summary by Brenda Gifford

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons

Most People I Know (Think That I’m Crazy) by Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs

NFSA-ID:

NFSA ID

744201

Year:

Year

1972

This is an excerpt from the 1972 single release of ‘Most People I Know (Think That I’m Crazy)’ by Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs.

Summary by Thorsten Kaeding

The 1930 Australian XI: Winners of the Ashes

NFSA-ID:

NFSA ID

266765

Year:

Year

1930

In this clip you hear the team’s new star, Don Bradman, begin to speak. The order of all the speakers on the record is Bill Woodfull, captain of the team, followed by senior batsman Alan Kippax, spin bowler Clarrie Grimmett, Bradman, fast bowler Tim Wall and all-rounder Stan McCabe, youngest member of the team.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

Cover image: The 21-year-old Don Bradman photographed in London in 1930. Courtesy State Library of South Australia (Mortlock Library)

Theme from Blue Hills by New Century Orchestra, 1949

NFSA-ID:

NFSA ID

503205

Year:

Year

1949

This is the theme music and opening announcement from the long-running ABC radio drama Blue Hills (1949–76).

Summary by Matthew Davies

Waltzing Matilda by John Collinson

NFSA-ID:

NFSA ID

283469

Courtesy:

Broadcast (Deluxe Series) W573

Year:

Year

1926

The first recorded version of Waltzing Matilda, recorded in London in 1926, by John Collinson, a born near Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. For no obvious reason they changed the melody a little for the chorus. It didn’t sell many copies, a fate shared by the next recorded version, by Colin Crane in 1930.

Irkanda IV by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

NFSA-ID:

NFSA ID

332275

Year:

Year

1967

This is a 30-second excerpt from the ABC recording of Peter Sculthorpe’s 'Irkanda lV’, released in 1967. The work is performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Hopkins. The violin soloist is Leonard Dommett.

Summary by Vincent Plush