Jens Christensen (1893-1981) Lake Macquarie Film Maker

THE FILM ARCHIVES OF JENS CHRISTENSEN (1893-1981)
LAKE MACQUARIE FILM MAKER

An Archive Listing of the Super 8 and Standard 8 Films of Jens Christensen (1893-1981).

Donated to the University of Newcastle’s Cultural Collections (Archives) by his daughters Betty Williams and Norma Clark in March 2011.

Accessioned: March 2012 by Sharon Mee.

 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

“MY FATHER”

by Betty Williams

 

Dad, Jens (Jim) Christensen, was born in Gronning, a small village outside Skive, Jutland, Denmark, the second youngest of 11 children, on 23 October, 1893.

The house had a thatched roof, packed dirt floor and an attic, where all the children slept. There was never much money, and when Jens was 14, he went to work as a cabin boy on the ship, Kotonia, which took him to Russia, the US and Egypt.

He then sailed as a deck-hand on the Norwegian full rigged ship Nord See (North Sea), where he learned his seamanship well. The ship visited Brazil, on its way to Australia, the voyage taking 3 1/2 months, much of it spent rounding Cape Horn and trying to sail north from the roaring forties.

The Nord See arrived at Newcastle in October, 1911, just before Jens turned 18. Jens got caught up in what these days would be called a ‘scam’. A group of sailors were co-opted to ‘jump ship’ and go to Raymond Terrace to help clear some heavily timbered land.

They stayed until the Nord See had sailed, but then found they were expected to work for their food and a bed, but no wages, so they picked up their few belongings and walked off.

Jen’s companions went back to Newcastle to sign on another ship, but Jens had already decided he had found ‘God’s Own Country’ and was determined to stay. Carrying a blanket, billycan and mug, he started walking, hoping to find a paying job. He was a strong, impressive-looking 18 year old, 5ft 10″ tall, with brown hair and blue eyes, but could only speak about three words of English. Two of those words were ‘look job’ (pronounced yob), which stood him in good stead when he arrived at Duckenfield and met a white-bearded farmer named Jim McInerney. When Jens put the question to him, the farmer pointed to some cows and mimed milking actions.

Jens had learned to milk cows in Denmark and when he nodded, the farmer, who was riding a horse, invited him to follow him to his house. He was given a job at ten shillings a week and keep (as against ten shillings a month on the Nord See). He worked for Jim McInerney for two years, sending two lots of twenty-five pounds home to his parents during that time. During the Hunter Valley floods of 1913 Jens rescued the farmer’s cattle from drowning in a swamp and was rewarded with a new wardrobe, from boots to hat, and including the first suit he had owned. His time on the farm was well spent because not only did he learn a lot about Australia and Australian attitudes, but the farmer’s daughter Kate taught him to read and write English.

His English was further improved when he travelled to Paterson, where the Butler family, despite having nine children of their own took him in as one of their own, and was coached in English until he could speak it quite fluently. This family remained “His Family’ for life. Here Jens worked at a small blue metal quarry at Martins Creek and took a particular interest in the steam shovels and crusher used at the quarry. He had an aptitude for mechanical things and was soon able to do maintenance work on the machines.

Still feeling restless he moved to Sydney, working in a glassworks and later in a jam and sauce factory. However, factory work soon palled and with his spare money obtained a rail ticket to Hornsby, from where he hiked to Galston. His meeting with Johnny Waddell was to prove a fateful meeting in more ways then one. He was given work on an orange orchard, but Mrs. Waddell took an interest in the wandering young Dane, whom she thought was capable of far more skilled work than farm labouring. She persuaded him to return to Sydney and start a career in motor engineering. Years later, the meeting with the Waddell family was to lead Jens to his future wife!

He completed a 3 year course in motor engineering in a garage in Crown Street, Sydney, then worked on the Chichester Dam. Still feeling restless, he carried his swag to Queensland. Along the way he had the opportunity to further study and admire Australian flora and fauna, and was fascinated by it. He felled timber in the Ramsay Ranges, share farmed at Spring Creek before moving on to Allora, on the Darling Downs, where he worked at the local garage. Eventually he bought out the business, which included a T-Model Ford car agency.

When he sold it in 1920, he decided to return to Denmark to visit his family. By that time he was 27 and had become a naturalised Australian citizen. His family hardly recognized him when he arrived back in Gronning. His praise of Australia was so great, his younger brother, Martin, decided he would also like to emigrate, but this turned out to be impossible.

Times were very tough and Jens found he could not get a job on a ship to take him back to Australia. He decided to go as far as his money would take him. He left Copenhagen on February 14, 1922, in the middle of one of the coldest spells Denmark had experienced in a hundred years, (Quote- ‘The trip across to Fyn was one to live in my memory for ever’.) This trip, which should have taken 1.1/2 hours took more than 17 hours. This journey, together with his story of twice trying to reach Australia by stowing away and his eventual return to Australia, is in a Diary, written by Jens during the voyages. Interesting reading!

On his return to Australia, he resumed his acquaintance with the Waddells at Galston, and some time later was taken to Cessnock and introduced to a young nurse, Alice Kirk, who was to become his wife. The marriage took place at Cessnock on September 23, 1923, immediately after which they travelled by train to Katoomba, where Jens had a job on a dam that was being built.

Returning to Aberdare/Cessnock when the dam was finished, Jens worked at a colliery, and still trying to improve himself, did an electricians course at night. A move was made to Speers Point where he worked at the Power Station at Cockle Creek. As 1929 approached Jens and Alice were saving hard to put a deposit on a house, but before they could buy one the Depression hit and Jens lost his job.

The savings they had accumulated had to be used for day to day living, supplemented by what Jens managed to earn by sharpening lawn mower blades. The family lived in a weekender at Arcadia Vale for some time during the Depression, trapping rabbits, fishing, and doing odd jobs. Eventually, in 1937, Jens got a job as an Electrical Welder at Killingworth Colliery, which was no longer producing coal, but was a wagon repair shop. By that time, he and Alice had five children.

The house they rented at Killingworth had been built for the Mine Manager in the late 1800’s and was quite large. There was not enough furniture to go round, so one room became a play room, one a workshop, and one was called ‘The Reception Room’, having one table and one chair in it. Electricity came from the mine and was included in the rent. So, Jens made an electric hot water system, with hot water laid on over the sink and the bath. He made a very large electric radiator (which is now in the Newcastle Museum), an electrical brooder, which reared 100-day-old chicks at a time, which were later eaten or sold for extra savings. An electric stove was purchased, and an electric washing machine, which had all the relatives bringing their washing, especially blankets, to try. There was a very large garden, laying chooks, a cow, a horse, a sheep as a pet, a dog and a cat; an almost self-sufficient household. When petrol rationing was on during the war he modified his car so that he could start it on petrol and then switch it over to run on power kerosene.

In 1946 Jens became sick and left the Pit. The family again moved to Arcadia Vale and lived in the weekender at Arcadia Vale. At that time Arcadia Vale was a fairly new village and having his Electrical Contractors License, he wired many houses to electricity in Arcadia Vale and Wangi, William Dobell’s house being one. Eventually a house was built, also in Arcadia Vale. I guess Jens could be described in the ‘wheeler and dealer’ category. Here he started a Post Office, purchased a block of land, which had the big tin Hall on it (in which dances and activities were held), also with an old house on it, which he converted into flats, and opened a shop and garage.. He was a member of the Progress Association and was instrumental in starting a sailing club, (he remained Patron of Wangi Sailing Club until his death) and having a school built at Arcadia Vale.

Jens followed an astonishing variety of crafts and hobbies, chief of which was cinematography, which he took up as a means of pursuing his interest in the Australian bush and its wild life. When his films lent themselves to being made into a documentary he edited them and did the commentary himself. One such film of road making is in the possession of the Lake Macquarie Council. Family members each have a movie of their exploits also.

In 1958 Jens suffered serious back and neck injuries in an accident and was encased in plaster from his lower back up and over his head, with only his face showing. His left arm was badly weakened but with typical determination he worked at strengthening it with the aid of pulleys. When he recovered he and Alice used the small amount of compensation he received to visit his family in Denmark.

They sailed from Sydney on the ‘Jason’ on September 3, 1960 and were given a rousing welcome from members of Jens’ family when they arrived in Skive. A documentation of this trip is also in a diary written by Jens. Written in the diary Christmas was described as ‘the prettiest Christmas in memory’.

He had taken his films and projection equipment with him and hired a hall to show his relatives something of the real Australia. Fifty-six members of his family attended. The word got around and Jens found himself being asked to show his films at a local teachers’ college, Skive Hospital, and various other places. “Many wanted to pay but I told them any funds collected could go to the club concerned”, he wrote. He also quoted: “I feel sure had the King of Denmark visited Skive he would not have got a bigger welcome, and it was hard to say goodbye”.

In 1968, when he was 75, with his wife Alice, they did a 4,286 mile tour through outback NSW, Queensland and South Australia. Jens took his movie camera and projector along and repaid the residents of the little Queensland town of Windorah for their hospitality by putting on a movie evening for them, to the great joy of the little township.

Jens was an authentic ‘Jack of all trades’ and handyman. He had his ‘Workshop’ and was forever making and repairing things, becoming the town handyman. A rocking horse he made is still in the family. He even taught we girls to knit and made beautiful hand knotted bags and stock whips out of plaited leather. He was never bored and had a firm belief that he could do anything he set his mind to. He had been brought up with Bible readings each evening in the home, but after travelling much of the world he had little time for formal religion, but had a very strict moral code.

Needless to say, he had a profound influence on his five children. He was a hard taskmaster, spoke his mind and expected things to be done right! When I visited relatives in Denmark, there were many comments about ‘Severin blood’, Severin being the father of Jens and family, this ‘inferred, hot blood’ characteristic being handed down to future generations. So, it was not always plain sailing, there were plenty of arguments over the years.

Jens died, at the age of 88, after a battle with cancer, with his family very close to him, and we were proud of him. His ashes were scattered from an aeroplane, over his beloved Lake Macquarie.

Betty Williams

 

 

ARCHIVES LISTING

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(i)

TITLE: ‘J. Christensen Films presents’

SIZE: Masonite board dimension = 26.5cm x 20cm, with painted title ‘J. Christensen Films presents.’ Gold lettering with red border.

DATE: circa 1950’s

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(ii)

TITLE: Painted watercolour title ‘Beautiful Lake Macquarie: Rivaling the World’s best in scenic beauty… Swimming… Fishing… Speed-boat racing… Yachting.’

SIZE:  Painted watercolour cardboard dimension = 30.5cm x 21cm

DATE: circa 1960’s

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(iii)-1

TITLE: Postcard Arcadia Vale NSW

SIZE: 14cm x 9cm

DATE: circa 1960’s

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(iii)-2

TITLE: Postcard Arcadia Vale NSW

SIZE: 14cm x 9cm

DATE: circa 1960’s

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(iii)-3—A9021(iii)-11

TITLE: Series of nine black and white photographs of unidentified construction site [Lake Macquarie?]

SIZE: 9cm x 6cm

DATE: circa 1960’s

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(iv)

TITLE: Typescript ‘Incentive to Murder’, Poem in six stanzas

SIZE: A4 page, 26cm x 20cm

DATE: ?

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(v)

TITLE: Operating instructions for Filmag sound unit

SIZE: 22cm x 14cm

DATE: ?

NOTES/CONDITION: Blue biro comments on the front and inside.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(vi)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Greece

SIZE: Grey square container dimension = 18.5cm x 18.5cm

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(vii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Untitled (with white envelope labeled: ‘This part belongs to On this Film: Mattila’s House, Skinnar’s Garden etc. Broken off and some lost)

SIZE: Square grey plastic film container dimensions = 18.5 x 18.5cm, with white envelope and 7.5cm diameter reel inside

FILM TYPE: Standard 8, with Sound [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S): On this film:  Mattila’s House; Skinnar’s Garden; Cusick’s House with flower; Catamaran Championship; Boys sailing toy boat; Man at Barbeque; R.S.L. Beer Garden; Man Skiing; Hammerhead shark; Wangi Power House; Goat in cart at Ampol; Boys trick riding in park; Boys swing from rope in tree, Paterson

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition. However, as noted on envelope, there are pieces broken off and some is lost.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(vii)a

TITLE: Untitled (white envelope labeled: ‘This part belongs to On this Film: Mattila’s House, Skinnar’s Garden etc. Broken off and some lost)

SIZE: White envelope with 7.5cm diameter reel inside

FILM TYPE: Standard 8, with Sound [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition. However, as noted on envelope, there are pieces broken off and some is lost.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(viii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: The Fruits of Life – Galston

SIZE: Square grey plastic film container dimensions = 18.75cm x 18.75cm

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(ix)

TITLE: Copy of Jans [sic] Film

SIZE: Square black plastic film container dimensions = 18.5cm x 19.5cm, with note inside

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

Copy of Jans’ Film:

On this copied film taken of Ian Lardi—

Man walking through bus, very foggy.

Man with bow, can be used but foggy (road scene, no house).

Ian shooting wild geese, can be used but not real good.

Man coming out of swamp, good film.

Second and third man coming out of swamp, bit foggy but can be used.

Man cooking with billycan, can be used.

Taking tusk out of jaw of pig, not bad film.

Cotton pods, very good film (All cotton to be moved to here).

Bush flowers, not bad but not wanted in this film.

Man coming with fish, can be used, not bad.

Ian spearing prawn, not bad, can be used.

Palm tree with ants nest all the way up, not too bad.

Pibald pig with man, can be used.

Some of flying foxes, can be used but not good.

Man stalking black pig, can be used but not good.

Man with dead pig, first part no good, but last part good enough to be used.

Boots on road, can be cut out, but truck going through dust can be used.

The palm tree with flower on top: must go in picture but not good.

Man walking along dam—not of any use.

Shaking cotton out of pod, not good but can be used. To be moved to where cotton is.

Truck going through trees, very foggy but could be used.

Hawks flying in air, can be used.

Cottage built from bush timber not too bad.

Crab and smoking of fish at camp fire, not too bad.

Strangler fig trees, too dark.

Palm trees and looking out over water, too light.

Cooking in fry pan, to be moved to campfire.

Cotton pods and cotton on tree, not too bad but foggy. Has to be moved to where cotton is.

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(x)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Family, Super, S.T. by J.C.

SIZE: Square black plastic film container dimension = 18.5cm x 19.5cm, with note inside

FILM TYPE: Super 8

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

  1. Alex and J. with fish
  2. Doug’s 21st birthday party
  3. Tully boys learning to ski
  4. Kevin and Paul getting boat ready for the race
  5. Cracker Vine in flower on back fence
  6. Orchid in backyard and Staghorns
  7. Wisteria in full bloom
  8. Pelicans, not a good picture
  9. Tiny in boat with flatheads
  10. ——-
  11. Family part on our verandah
  12. Doug, Daniel and Jason in backyard and James and Gary
  13. Gary, Julie and baby
  14. Mum with Xmas Bells or November Lillies
  15. Mrs Pennos’ granddaughter and Sue Anne
  16. Gary with Rachel in backyard
  17. A spiderweb in front of Staghorn
  18. Tents on Park in front of house
  19. Service Station and Resident
  20. Scene taken at farm
  21. Getting tomatoes on the farm
  22. Gary’s wedding
  23. Mum with Monsterio Flower and pumpkin
  24. Mangoes in backyard

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(xi)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Glenmorgan, Super—S.T. by J.C.

SIZE: Square black plastic film container dimension = 18.5cm x 19.5cm

FILM TYPE: Super 8

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(xii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Hong Kong (this film has music) (Ready for sound)

SIZE: Square black plastic film container with clear lid dimension = 18.5cm x 18.5cm, with note inside

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 Sound Film (this film has music)

DATE: circa 1960

SUBJECT(S):

Arrived at Hong Kong.

A maze of small boats in harbor.

Workers carrying huge loads.

Strange placard advertising goods.

We went by rail to the top of Hong Kong mountain.

In streets the loads carried mostly by women.

Music instruments were made in the street. Man on opium.

Washing in new territory. Even on footpaths.

Wedding coming out of church. Very nice.

General view round Hong Kong. The making of rope.

Friends showing us round Hong Kong.

We have excellent horse power to fish restaurant.

All scaffolding on sky-scrapers was bamboo.

Air force Headquarters was reclaimed from the sea.

Boat had met a sad end.

These graves all face east. Some just pots.

Women knocking off work on roadwork.

Plowing the rice field by oxen.

Women planting rice.

A glimpse of a poultry farm.

Looking over the Yangtze River to China.

Cemetery of Australian Soldiers.

A Sampan takes us to our boat.

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(xiii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Theodor’s Cane—North Queensland (copy)

SIZE: Square black plastic film container dimension = 18.5cm x 19.5cm, with note inside

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 [?]

DATE: circa 1960

SUBJECT(S):

Picnic on lawn at Theodor’s.

Mrs Theodor takes us out to cane.

Working the cane field with plow and cane-cutting and loading the world’s largest cane.

Then spear fishing on the Barrier Reef.

Swimming amongst the rocks.

Jungle and beautiful orchids all around.

Cascading of water falling 600ft.

Ocean inlet goes into jungle.

A wonderful view of Cactus [?] Flower here.

Taipan eggs—teaming with bird life (chicks).

A bucket of eggs someone had left (destruction).

The way to catch fish.

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(xiv)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Jarrah Creek

SIZE: Square black plastic film container dimension = 18.5cm x 19.5cm

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9021(xv)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Longreach (Our trip to QLD 1968) (Got track ready for sound)

SIZE: Square black plastic film container with clear lid dimension = 18.5cm x 18.5cm

FILM TYPE: Standard 8. Got track ready for sound.

DATE: 1968

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(i)a

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: England—Whatmount and Hatten, Standard

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm film per canister), 18cm diameter

FILM TYPE: Standard 8

DATE: circa 1960

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(i)b

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Japan and Thailand, Standard

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm film per canister), 18cm diameter

FILM TYPE: Standard 8, with sound in parts [?]

DATE: circa 1960

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition. Sound strip coming away in parts.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(ii)a

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Giraween Station

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm film per canister), 18cm diameter

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 Sound Film

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Bad condition.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(ii)b

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Queensland, 1960, Standard. Stripe peeled off in places.

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm film per canister), 18cm diameter

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 Sound Film

DATE: 1960

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Bad condition. Stripe peeled off in places.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(iii)a

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Malaysia

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm film per canister), 18cm diameter

FILM TYPE: Standard 8, with Sound in parts

DATE: circa 1960

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Bad condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(iii)b

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Our trip to Panang and Singapore

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm film per canister), 18cm diameter

FILM TYPE: Standard 8

DATE: circa1960

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Fair condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(iv)a

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Queensland, 1950—Sugar

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm film per canister), 18cm diameter, with note inside

FILM TYPE: Standard 8

DATE: 1950

SUBJECT(S):

Methods used in Cane Field—Sowing and Harvesting. Cane 1950.

Cane Farmer’s House.

Mount Tyson in background.

Looking up Tully Valley at Cane fields.

Showing method of planting in 1950.

Cane just up and full grown with tussel.

Driving amongst beautiful cane fields.

Showing spraying of cane to combat pest.

Fire through cane before cutting.

Cutting the cane and method of loading.

In 1960 this loader was invented and tried.

Cane trucks being loaded onto transport truck.

Truck returning from field loaded.

Type of Locos used to haul cane trucks.

Capstan [sic] pulling trucks to knives.

Sugar through microscope.

View from top of mill.

Back of farm showing workings.

NOTES/CONDITION: Fair condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(iv)b

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Lake Macquarie

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm film per canister), 18cm diameter

FILM TYPE: Standard 8, with sound in parts

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(v)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Road Tar

SIZE: 16mm film canister (1 reel of 8mm film per canister), 18cm diameter

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 Sound Film

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(vi)a

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Flowers

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm film per canister), 18cm diameter, with note inside

FILM TYPE: Standard 8, small portion of this film has Sound track

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

  1. Flowers of Monsterio Delicio
  2. Picture of Golden Wattle
  3. Grass Tree—Eggs and Bacon
  4. Easter Daisies in garden
  5. Xmas Bells
  6. Pineapples and me (2 off)
  7. Waratahs
  8. Grape vines and Wattle
  9. Picnic in Bush and Rastus
  10. Mum amongst the flowers
  11. Bird of Paradise flower
  12. Grapes and Mum—wattle
  13. Bett and Kev with Mountain Devils
  14. Me again with pineapples
  15. Perron with pineapples
  16. Bett pulling bananas
  17. Edna’s birthday and birthday cake
  18. Tea Tree and Bottle Brush
  19. Cars on Park and bird in Grape vine
  20. Mountain Devils
  21. Xmas Bells
  22. Pelican and Peewee
  23. Chinaman’s Hat
  24. Pig Weed in garden
  25. Easter Daisies —flowering shrub
  26. Chillies in our garden
  27. Norma picking flowers
  28. Stocks in front of house
  29. Flannel Flowers and Xmas Bells
  30. Silky Oak and Cracker Vine
  31. Xmas Bush and some pretty flowers
  32. Green Parrots in trees and Leather Head
  33. Nectarines and Grapes and Paw-paw
  34. Pineapple
  35. Sturt’s Desert Pea
  36. Red Bottle Brush (good)
  37. Mum and Norma and Sweet Peas
  38. Tom Hernmar’s Orchids
  39. My Rock Lillies and peach tree
  40. Flannel Flowers at Long Jetty
  41. ——-
  42. Skennar’s Garden
  43. Girls with huge gum tree
  44. Girls amongst the wattle
  45. ——-
  46. Cracker vine on fence
  47. ——–
  48. Chinese hat (flower)
  49. ——–
  50. ——–
  51. ——–
  52. ——–

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(vi)b

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Miscellaneous Film with Note inside

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm film per canister), 18cm diameter

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 [?]

DATE: 1954[?]

SUBJECT(S):

  1. Queen’s visit to Newcastle
  2. Houses taken at Arcadia
  3. Tug-o-war at Picnic
  4. Bag toilet on Foreshore
  5. Grader on road—Brook St.
  6. Family Picnic—Elizabeth Bay
  7. Locals repairing road—Arcadia
  8. Opening of Wangi Power House
  9. Swimming at Newcastle Baths
  10. Xmas on Reserve at Arcadia Vale
  11. Marge O’Connor and Kennedy, and Views of Power House
  12. Flowers taken at Paterson—Elk and Staghorns
  13. Scene from Eungella Park, QLD
  14. John as Cadet—Jason in clothes basket
  15. Animal Garden at Mackay, QLD
  16. Jungle growing to beach
  17. Big tree taken in scrub at Paterson—Elks and Stags
  18. Barry, Bill and Rene at Picnic at Paterson
  19. Flowers in our garden and grapevine
  20. Birds in tree
  21. Hazel and Mum at Rock Lilies
  22. Air Pageant at Maitland

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(vii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Scandinavian countries—Norway, Sweden, Denmark

SIZE: Green 8mm film canister, 18cm diameter

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 [?]

DATE: circa 1960

SUBJECT(S):

Harbour at Bergen

Waterfalls

NOTES/CONDITION: Some mould

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(viii)a

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Norma, Standard film

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm per canister), 18cm diameter, with note inside

FILM TYPE: Standard 8

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

  1. Bett’s wedding
  2. Basketball at Toronto
  3. Bett, Alice Davies, Wendy and Paul
  4. Lardi Boys
  5. Paul on beach
  6. Paul in rocking horse
  7. Kevin, Bett and Paul with gun
  8. All in water down in front
  9. Sue Anne with Xmas Bells
  10. Gary and Doug in Lounge
  11. Bett with Brian
  12. Showing Mountain Devil
  13. Boys playing with toys
  14. Mum with Brian
  15. On picnic
  16. Paul and Brian

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition, with note inside

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(viii)b

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Norma, Standard film

SIZE: 16mm film canister (2 reels of 8mm per canister), 18cm diameter, with note inside

FILM TYPE: Standard 8, small portion of this film has sound track [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

  1. Julie with baby
  2. Tanilba with Norma and Lester
  3. Doug just walking
  4. Gary and Doug with old car
  5. Cakes at Birth[day] party—fancy dress
  6. Children at play
  7. Alan and Elaine
  8. Doug’s first day at school
  9. Gary as Father Xmas
  10. Eating mulberries
  11. Children in water
  12. Gary and Doug in Scout dress
  13. Norma and Noeleen in log at Lookout
  14. Boarding House Dam and birds
  15. Showing tomatoes
  16. Norma with Norwegian friend
  17. Norma and boys going in car
  18. Day at Chichester Dam
  19. Me playing Patience

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition, with note inside

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(ix)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Untitled

SIZE: Round clear plastic 17.5cm diameter reel in round clear plastic container

FILM TYPE: Super 8, with Sound[?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(x)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: All short bits with sound: Super—Galston No.2

SIZE: Round clear plastic 17.5cm diameter reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 Sound Film

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xi)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Going through Suez Canal and Bombay—showing Park

SIZE: Round 17.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Standard 8, with Sound [?]

DATE: circa 1960

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Turkey Shooting, standard

SIZE: 12.5cm diameter film canister

FILM TYPE: Standard 8, with sound [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xiii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Mickey Mouse

SIZE: 12.5cm diameter film canister

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Very good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xiv)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Rodeo at Cooranbong

SIZE: Green 12.5cm diameter reel, in square clear and grey container 13.5cm x 13.5cm

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xv)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Theodor’s Cane and Soldiers Marching at Wangi Fair [Possibly Anzac March?]

SIZE: 12.5cm diameter reel in round yellow container

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xvi)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Orchard

SIZE: metal 12.5cm diameter reel in plastic bag

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 [?]

DATE: 1959

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xvii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Zoo

SIZE: metal 12.5cm diameter reel in plastic bag

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 Sound Film [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xviii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Nivico Demonstration tape

SIZE: 12.5cm diameter reel in plastic bag

FILM TYPE: Sound tape

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xix)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Untitled

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter reel in plastic bag

FILM TYPE: Sound tape

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Fair condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xx)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Mostly flowers and Christmas Bells[?] and kangaroo tails (not bad)

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter yellow reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Agfa film, 4 years old when taken.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xxi)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Dora Creek Picnic

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter yellow reel

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xxii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Taken in Scotland, standard

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Standard 8

DATE: circa 1960

SUBJECT(S): With Kate in Scotland. Will not get in to any other film.

NOTES/CONDITION: Fair condition. Emulsion a little sticky.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xxiii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Tasmania

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xxiv)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Swimming Wangi, Swimming Club about 1965

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Standard 8 [?]

DATE: 1965

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Fair condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xxv)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Barramundi

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xxvi)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Murder (to be played with Typescript ‘Incentive to Murder’ Poem in six stanzas on paper)

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xxvii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Mainly aerial scenes [?] David with dog

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xxviii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: White end missing

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9022(xxix)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Christensen presents, standard

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black metal reel

FILM TYPE: Standard 8

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(i)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Untitled

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S): [Flowers, Pelicans on Lake Macquarie]

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(ii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Untitled

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S): [Boats on Lake Macquarie, windmill at front of house, cat in house]

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(iii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Untitled

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S): [Wedding]

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(iv)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Untitled

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S): [Seals]

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(v)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Untitled

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S): [Water-skiing on Lake Macquarie, Koalas, boats and water-skiing on Lake Macquarie, aerial view of [?], Kookaburra, boats on Lake Macquarie, bridge].

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(vi)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Untitled

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S): [Flowers, wagon, geese, boat, bullock wagon, boat].

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(vii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Untitled

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S): [Wattle]

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(viii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: This black tape has stripe

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8 [?]

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(ix)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Right lent [sic] for striping white super

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(x)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: Black for striping super

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Super 8

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(xi)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: All white ends, standard

SIZE: 7.5cm diameter black reel

FILM TYPE: Standard 8

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(xii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: black and white 50metre 8mm film Copenhagen. A Walton home movie.

SIZE: Cardboard box dimension = 7.5 x 7.5cm

FILM TYPE: Standard 8

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Very good condition

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(xiii)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: 8mm silent Hurry Hurry. From the ‘W.C. Fields’ Series. Movie-paks.

SIZE: Cardboard box dimension = 12.5 x 12.5cm

FILM TYPE: Standard 8

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Film in good condition. Box in fair condition—taped on sides.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(xiv)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: 8mm home movie Charlie the Champion. Walton.

SIZE: Cardboard box dimension = 12.5 x 12.5cm

FILM TYPE: Standard 8

DATE: ?

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Very good condition. Box is worn.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(xv)

TITLE ON FILM CONTAINER: 8mm silent The Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 2nd June 1953. The Film Record of the Glorious Day. Movie Paks.

SIZE: Cardboard box dimension = 12.5 x 12.5cm

FILM TYPE: Standard 8

DATE: 1953

SUBJECT(S):

NOTES/CONDITION: Good condition. Box is worn.

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(xvi)

TITLE: Envelope of Negatives labeled ‘Films to be enlarged’.

SIZE: Envelope dimension 9cm x 11.5cm

DATE: ?

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(xvii)

TITLE: Envelope of Kodak Photographic paper

SIZE:

DATE: ?

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(xviii)-1—A9023(xviii)-7

TITLE: Series of seven black and white photographs of construction site

SIZE: 16.5cm x 11.5cm

DATE:

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9023(xix)-1—A9023(xix)-3

TITLE: Series of three black and white aerial photographs of 1. Arcadia Vale and the clearing for the Power Station—accommodation huts, 1 area for white collar, 1 area for blue collar. 2. & 3. Lake View and Wangi

SIZE: 25.5cm x 19.5cm

DATE:

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9024

TITLE: 8mm viewer

NOTES/CONDITION: Working order

 

ARCHIVES NO: A9025

TITLE: 8mm projector

NOTES/CONDITION:

 

2 light bulbs

4 empty reels—1 x 20.5cm diameter, 1 x 17.5cm, 2 x 7.5cm diameter

 

 

 


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