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National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Melbourne: Life in Australia

1966

Melbourne: Life in Australia

1966

  • NFSA ID697C7CBS
  • TypeFilm
  • MediumMoving Image
  • FormDocumentary, Series
  • Year1966

Future soap opera star Elspeth Ballantyne sells BBQ chicken in this film about life in the Victorian capital of Melbourne, 1966.

Future soap opera star Elspeth Ballantyne sells BBQ chicken in this film about life in the Victorian capital of Melbourne, 1966.

  • Director
    Douglas White
    Producer
    Eric Thompson
    Cinematographer
    Tom Cowan
    Herself
    Elspeth Ballantyne
  • This film follows an engaged couple as they work and party in the city of Melbourne. The female lead is played by Adelaide born actress Elspeth Ballantyne, who would find success in the ABC soap opera Bellbird (1967-77), followed by the iconic role of Meg Jackson/Morris in Prisoner (1979-1986).

    Part of the Life In Australia series, made for the Department of Immigration, to entice immigrants from Europe. There’s no denying that these films were a marketing tool; Australia (and its cities and rural centres) was the product, and as such, it was presented as an idyllic destination where everyone led prosperous, happy lives. The scripts for each film are almost identical, covering employment and industry, education, sport, health care, shopping, religion, night-life, and art. Australia had everything anyone could wish for!

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