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  Wollongong from the Air circa 1938

  Charles Jackson

  Earliest known film footage from a biplane flyover of Wollongong circa 1938. This footage shows the departure of the biplane from Mascot airport, Sydney, and cuts to aerial views of the northern suburbs coastline from Thirroul south, then Wollongong, Tom Thumbs Lagoon, Port Kembla, Shellharbour and Kiama.

  This video is also discussed in a WIN television news item which includes an interview with UOW academic Dr Glen Mitchell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77WGP....

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  A Pictorial Record of the Royal Visit to the City of Greater Wollongong 1954

  Wollongong Theatres Pty. Ltd.

  On February 11th 1954, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, visited Wollongong as part of a larger Australian Royal tour. A film showcasing the visit was produced and subsequently shown in local theatres. UOW Library has developed an online exhibition of the film, accompanied by photographs, newspaper articles, and other items drawn together to recreate the sense of anticipation and excitement generated in the region. The online exhibition is available here.

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  Bird Power - an experiment in colour and movement 1972

  Mary Callaghan

  Mary Callaghan (b.1955) grew up in Wollongong and revealed an early interest in film making whilst at high school. For her Higher School Certificate examination in 1972, Mary produced an 8 minute long film on 8mm - Bird Power - which was fully costumed by her and shot in Bombo Quarry, near Kiama. Mary's film featured family and friends, including her brother Michael Callaghan and friend Philip Batty, wearing brighly coloured and ornate bird costumes in the quarry as they carry out a series of movements and gestures, amidst the volcanic rock and pools of flourescent green water. A partial copy of he film remains and is available here, under the title 'An experiment in colour and movement'. It runs for approximately 4 minues, which is half of the original version. According to the director, "The theme behind the scenes was power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." At the time of its production James Mollison, Director of the National Gallery of Victoria, sought to purchase the costumes from Bird Power, however Mary would not sell them at the time. Wollongong artist David Humphries included the costumes in an exhibition held as part of the Wollongong Fusion Art Festival during 1972.

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  Image Plus 1975

  Mary Callaghan

  Mary Callaghan received her first grant from John Flaus and the Experimental Film Fund whilst a student at the Film and Television School, Swinburne College, Melbourne. This was used to produce the short film Image Plus. It was shown during 1975 in the Silver Palace heritage cinema at St. Kilda, as part of the Women's International Film Festival. Her poster It's hard to change your lifestyle overnight 1975-6 was associated with the film. Mary was on the Victorian organising collective for this important festival held during the first International Women's Year.

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  University of Wollongong - Installation of Chancellor Hope 1976 and Graduation 1979

  University of Wollongong

  1.Installation by Sir Roden Cutler of theFoundation Chancellor, Mr. Justice Robert Hope, at Graduation, 11 June 1976, Wollongong Town Hall. Duration: 2 minutes 55 seconds, colour video with sound.

  2. University of Wollongong Graduation Ceremony, Union Hall, 10 May 1979. Duration: 3 minutes 28 seconds, colour video, no audio.

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  Sample Scenes - Greetings from Wollongong 1979

  Mary Callaghan

  Sample scenes for Greetings from Wollongong, funded with assistance from the Australian Film Commission, November 1979, colour 16 mm colour film, no audio, 8 minutes 32 seconds.

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  Greetings from Wollongong 1982

  Mary Callaghan

  Greetings From Wollongong, directed by Mary Callaghan, refuses the 1980s mainstream portrayal of 'the unemployed’ as simply hopeless dole bludgers. The film follows the characters as they face rejection, boredom, social isolation, family tensions and lack of money. The film’s style comes from a social realist tradition. Set in the 1980s recession, it is a powerful portrait of a city under economic stress.