In 1951 Joan Sutherland moved to England to pursue an operatic career after she won the Sun Aria Competition in Sydney.

John, Paul, George and Ringo – The Beatles – have held a place in the hearts of Australian music fans for decades.

The news file here depicts the band’s departure from Sydney on Sunday 21 June 1964 for the New Zealand leg of their world tour, showing ’Beatlemania’ in full flight.

Johnny O’Keefe and first wife Marianne standing on balcony of Melbourne Town Hall before performance at 3UZ's Rock and Twist Spectacular, 1962. Photographer: Laurie Richards.

This is an episode of radio serial Dr Paul (1963), from Grace Gibson Productions.

This is an episode of the radio serial Cattleman (1961), from Grace Gibson Productions.

There are not many radio field recordings made by on-the-ground reporters in the ABC’s archival collection. Even if there were, this recording would stand out in the crowd.

First section of the newsreel, covering the National Stomp Championships of Feb 1964.

On 21 June 1966 Australia was shocked when Labor and Opposition Leader Arthur Calwell was shot at close range after attending an anti-conscription rally at Mosman Town Hall, Sydney.

Upon arrival at Essendon airport Calwell was surrounded by a tight circle of news reporters questioning him about the incident.