We look back at highlights from Commonwealth Games held in Australia in 1938, 1962, 1982 and 2006.

This newsreel features highlights from the athletics competition at the 1938 Empire Games: the men's and women's 100 yards sprint finals, high jump and broad (long) jump.

Australia has always been proud of its swimming champions.

The men's pole vault, broad jump (long jump) and women's high jump feature in this silent clip of highlights from the 1938 British Empire Games.

This newsreel features footage of the opening ceremony of the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney. These were the third Empire Games and the first to be held in the southern hemisphere.

This silent clip illustrates Decima Norman's unusual running style. Though unorthodox, it was clearly effective!

Recorded with Mario ‘Harp’ Lorenzi and his Rhythmics in January 1937 whilst singer Marjorie Stedeford was living and working in London.

Marjorie Lawrence, a mezzo-soprano who spent her career singing dramatic soprano roles, was born in Dean’s Marsh in Victoria in 1907.

Margherita Grandi, a mezzo-soprano, was born as Margaret Gard, on Harwood Island, NSW in 1894.

She travelled to Europe in 1911 where she received training in London, Paris and Milan.