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.

On her birthday, we share images of Merle Oberon from the NFSA's Taussig Film Stills Collection. Publicity for the Hollywood star always claimed she was born in Tasmania but a different story emerged after her death.