This is a story of personal tragedy, political rivalries, corruption and trial by media that nearly tore apart Australia at the moment of its birth.

For the first time in Australia's history the Parliament was opened with a Welcome to Country by Ngambri elder, Matilda House Williams.

Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared at Cheviot Beach, Victoria on 17 December 1967.

A Cinesound Review newsreel story about the first - and only - federal election fought by Harold Holt when he was prime minister. The election took place on 26 November 1966.

In this Nine News footage from 1967, Opposition Leader Gough Whitlam extends his condolences to Harold Holt's wife and family.

In this Nine News footage from 18 December 1967, journalists interview Deputy Prime Minister John McEwen and then Treasurer William McMahon as they arrive at Parliament House.

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.

This is a three-minute excerpt from a five-minute Australian Labor Party television commercial for the 1966 federal election.