Colonists for a Day looks at Australia's role in the development of the nation of Papua New Guinea, featuring eyewitness accounts and rare archival footage.

Michael Leahy’s photographs and footage show the highlanders surrounding and looking at a gramophone (with a 1930s recording of ‘Looking on the Bright Side of Life’ playing on the soundtrack).

Islanders play cricket as the narrator (Jerry W Leach) explains the local customs of the game. One team gets an opposing player out then performs the 'PK’ chant, then an exit dance.

‘Mission games’, like soccer and cricket, are played by the Trobriand Islanders in 1950.

Islanders on the 'Blind Man’ team dance in formation with arms outstretched, performing an entrance ritual to start the game.

At a big gathering, people are stunned and grieving. Madang, one of Joe’s main adversaries regarding the plantations, has been killed.

At a village meeting, two highlanders are bartering a 'bride-price’. On offer are pigs rather than money.

At a community meeting, a young man debates with Joe Leahy about the profit split of their Kaugum coffee plantation. Leahy explains how he is the one taking the risk with the bank loan.

At a meeting of the Ganiga tribe, Joe and his ally, tribal elder Popina Mai, speak about the plan for Ganiga to work on the plantation.

In a wide shot, many highlanders are chanting and running through the grass with spears. Joe sits at home looking distraught. The Ganiga return to the village and attend to a wounded man.