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Mar 2019
An aerial shot of a hotel and railway line in a vast expanse of outback, in a scene from the 1971 film Wake in Fright

Wake in Fright: 2009 Restoration

For years the negative of Wake in Fright (1971) was thought to be lost forever. Here is the story behind the restoration and re-release of the classic Australian film.

Film
Close-up of a vinyl record

Introducing Lillian Roxon

Australian journalist Lillian Roxon was one of the first to take rock and punk music seriously.

By Beth Taylor / 4 Mar 2019
Photographs
Radio
Jan 2019
Popstar and TV personality Jimmy Hannan walking down the aisle at the Sydney Stadium with a crowd of people around him.

Jimmy Hannan: a winning smile

Vale Jimmy Hannan, who passed away on 7 January 2019, at the age of 84. We celebrate his life and work, and acknowledge his kind donation to the NFSA.

By Beth Taylor / 8 Jan 2019
Photographs
Sound
Television
Nov 2018
NFSA Stories banner

NFSA Stories: Outback geologist

Dr Charles Gower was delighted to watch himself in a government documentary, 45 years after it was filmed.

By Amanda Diaz / 5 Nov 2018
Film
Oct 2018
The Sydney Opera House is festooned with red ribbons. There are many boats on the water in front of it.

Sydney Opera House Opening

Photographs, news and home movie footage capture the excitement of the opening of the Sydney Opera House, 45 years ago on 20 October 1973.

By Beth Taylor / 16 Oct 2018
Film
Photographs
Television
Aug 2018
Actor Heath Ledger striking a dramatic pose with his arms out, one leg up in the air and his mouth open wide and eyes shut. He is in a yellow kitchen.

Heath Ledger exhibition

Audiences are about to discover the man behind the camera in the NFSA’s new exhibition Heath Ledger: A Life in Pictures.

By Miguel Gonzalez / 7 Aug 2018
Film
Jul 2018
Die-cast scale model of a cream-coloured FJ Holden panel van used by Cinesound Review

Model 'Newsfront' Holden Panel Van

We've recently acquired a die-cast model of a Cinesound Film Unit FJ Holden panel van, similar to that featured in the classic Australian film Newsfront.

By Jessica Bolton / 24 Jul 2018
Film
Object
NFSA Stories banner

NFSA Stories: My Bollywood Aunt

Mubina Patanwala grew up knowing her aunt Asha was famous, but never expected to find her in the NFSA collection.

By Amanda Diaz / 2 Jul 2018
Television
Jun 2018
The five band members of Cold Chisel standing in a row on a pier with water in front and behind them.

Celebrating Cold Chisel

Cold Chisel are the quintessential Aussie band who wrote the soundtrack for a generation.

By Mel Bondfield / 12 Jun 2018
Sound
Wendy Hughes and Judy Davis seated on a couch talking in a still from My Brilliant Career

My Brilliant Career

The empowering 1979 classic Australian film My Brilliant Career has been digitally restored as part of the NFSA Restores program.

By Jenny Gall / 8 Jun 2018
Film