'Little Donkey' was first released in 1959 by English singer Gracie Fields.

This collection celebrates Australia's rich history of circus and carnival performers.

The film begins with Wirth's famous circus elephants being dressed in their costume rugs.

A fixed camera positioned on the edge of an outdoor arena captures ringmaster and circus proprietor Philip Wirth rehearsing with his trick pony, Earl Dudley.

The procession of performers and circus acts passes by the camera to enter the big top arena including horses, clowns and elephants.

The members of Wirth’s Circus and Zoo parade down the main street as a large crowd looks on. The parade includes elephants, clowns, performers on horseback and caged animals.

Wirth's Circus arrives at Geelong and prepares for a performance.

Full colour poster, cream border.

The voice-over announces 'the male koala grunting’. We hear a series of deep-voiced grunts similar to the sounds of a large pig.

Summary by Maryanne Doyle

The NFSA collects tens of thousands of items every year. What were some of the highlights for 2017?