1890s–2010s: A nation on screen and in sound

It feels close and already distant. A glance through the 2010s shows how quickly the world kept changing. Podcast, streaming and gaming booms pushed the boundaries of art and connectivity. Series made for the web and TV explored multicultural Australian life,  Zero Point introduced a First Nations superhero, and the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal flag prompted reflection. Add Eurovision, Gotye’s global hit, Dylan Alcott’s triumphs, major Oscar wins – and we get an Australia that’s diverse, dynamic and evolving with the fast times.

Post Y2K, the 2000s were marked by political change, creative achievement and technological advances. Cathy Freeman’s Sydney Olympic Games victory and Lleyton Hewitt’s Wimbledon triumph captured the sporting imagination, while Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generations marked a national reckoning. Australian film travelled widely, while MP3 technology and the Internet revolution reshaped how audiences engaged with media.

The 90s brought defining moments, from Paul Keating’s Redfern Speech to Yothu Yindi’s ‘Treaty’ and Archie Roach’s ‘Took the Children Away’. While we watched Sylvania Waters and cheered Kieren Perkins, Kylie reinvented herself and Savage Garden went global. Films such as Muriel’s Wedding, Strictly Ballroom and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert carried Australian perspectives to international audiences.

The 80s turned every setting up. Fashion was bright, hair was high, music became big business. Dream weddings – Charles and Diana, Scott and Charlene – made audiences swoon. VHS tapes captured an explosion of TV shows – comedy, cooking, celebrity interviews – while Walkmans took the latest hits on the go. As Matilda the Kangaroo tipped audiences a wink at the Commonwealth Games, Australia forged a new identity on the world stage.

The 1970s were bold, brash and transformative. This collection captures the shocks and shifts – Whitlam’s dismissal, Mardi Gras protests, the invention of the Fairlight synthesiser, John Farnham’s early career. Culture got raunchy with AC/DC, Cold Chisel and Number 96, while the Sydney Opera House became a global icon. But the decade was also scarred by crisis, from political upheaval to the devastation of Cyclone Tracy. The ’70s brought protest, polyester, power chords and plenty of shock to the system.

The global tumults of the 60s saw new momentum for movements towards equal rights for women and First Nations, while migrants expanded the breadth of Australian culture. Beatlemania and moon-mission madness swept the nation, and Skippy the Bush Kangaroo found international fame. Australia converted to decimal currency and a prime minister mysteriously disappeared. The scene was set for seismic change.

The 1950s marked a turning point with Bruce Gyngell’s ‘Good evening and welcome to television,’ and life was reshaped at home. Music and jingles filled the airwaves, sport drew mass audiences and the 1956 Melbourne Olympics captured global attention. Film broke new ground with Jedda, foregrounding First Nations actors and stories within a changing national screen landscape.

A decade defined by war, then recovery, this section reflects life in 1940s Australia as the country endured conflict, embraced modern living and looked ahead. On the home front, Australians found joy in sport and everyday staples such as Milo and Vegemite. Radio tunes expanded, with Australia's Amateur Hour casting a spotlight on First Nations musicians. Fashion and cinema brought new glamour, while performers, athletes and communities sustained morale and connection.

The 1930s were marked by economic hardship and resilience mixed with moments of national pride. Spanning sport, transport, entertainment and daily life, this material shows Australians dealing with change and shaping civic identity. Newsreels and home movies document the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening, PM Robert Menzies taking office and figures like Don Bradman and Phar Lap inspiring audiences across the country.

Join us in fabulously flappable 1920s Australia. From fashion and nightlife to aviation feats and suburban sprawl, this decade displays confidence, creativity and change. Cities expanded, trams criss-crossed Sydney and Melbourne, rugby league, Australian rules football and cricket captivated fans, and silent cinema gave way to the talkies. New forms of leisure and expression took hold.

It was a decade often framed through images of war: Gallipoli, troops abroad and the sacrifices of those who served. But it also reveals Australians navigating joy and progress alongside loss. Marvellous Melbourne films show a modern metropolis emerging, Canberra was formally named and entertainment thrived – from Luna Park’s opening to Percy Grainger and Annette Kellerman.

From the twilight of the Victorian age to Federation, Australia was a society experimenting with image and recorded sound in new ways. This section includes recordings of First Nations people made by Spencer and Gillen, playful glass slides, the soaring voice of Dame Nellie Melba, the royal pageantry of 1901 and the remaining fragments of The Story of the Kelly Gang, the world’s first feature film.