By the 1940s Darwin was still a small town but its location was important militarily.

While the Second World War had commenced in late 1939, in 1940 Darwin was yet to feel the full impact.

This clip begins with footage of Salvation Army headquarters where food and drink are provided to Australian troops.

This sample of collection items highlights the people of Darwin and some of the major events in the history of Australia's most northerly capital city.

According to this newsreel, Australia is at war with the '5th Column’, threatened by a ruthless enemy whose objective is the 'downfall of the British Empire’.

Victor Tarhanoff’s 16mm amateur footage is the earliest surviving colour images of Darwin. His beautiful films offer a unique insight into Darwin life before and after the Second World War.

Ballarat is home to the gold rush and the Eureka Rebellion, two seminal events that shaped Australia's national story.

The NFSA's David Atfield discovers the fascinating movie-star wartime stories behind the Taussig film stills collection.

How has political advertising changed over the last century? Dr Lisa Milner from Southern Cross University is researching election campaign media in the NFSA collection.