Five Decades Ago: A Tasmanian Story

Courtesy LINC Tasmania: A 1954 documentary on Tasmania – featuring lifestyle, industry and regions, produced by the Postmaster-General department to celebrate the sesquicentennial of Tasmania. Includes the complete film and sound – from the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office collection.

Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office: Film — Tasmanian Story — (sound and colour) 22 minutes, 1954 (Reference: CB17/4/1/1)

From The Mercury, 1953, announcing the premiere screening of the film:

SESQUICENTENARY FILM PRODUCED

THE Public Relations Division of the Postmaster-General’s Department has completed a 20-minute colour film to honour the sesquicentenary of Tasmania. The title chosen for the film is “Tasmanian Story.”

In announcing this yesterday, the Director, Posts and Tele- graphs (Mr. J. E. Bonan) said that the film would be given a premiere screening in Hobart next Monday. The producer (Mr. E. J. Brereton) will at- tend to represent the Director General (Mr. G. T. Chippindall). Mr. Brereton will be accompanied) by Miss J. Blackwood, who wrote the story and directed the film.

Invitations have been issued to Federal and State members of Parliament, representatives of civic and business organisa- tions, and members of the Sesquicentenary Committee. Mr. Bonan added that the film would be screened through- out the Commonwealth, and in most parts of Tasmania and should do much to impress upon Australians the importance of Tasmania to the economic welfare of the nation.

Prominence is given to the various industries of the State and their potential.

The film pays tribute to the work of the early explorers and settlers by showing what their labours have accomplished. Lieut. John Bowen and William Paterson are included.

Special Arrangement

---

(Attribution and sourcing details within the article text). Would you like to contact this author or the editor? You can send them a letter via the Editor. Your opinions, comments, questions and suggestions are all welcome. There’s an email button at the bottom of the Contributors Page.

---