Life In Australia: Brisbane

From The Film Australia Collection. Made by the Commonwealth Film Unit 1964. Directed by Robert Parker. Episode 1 of the Life in Australia series. This series was made to encourage immigration to Australia and to highlight the various social activities, employment and educational opportunities and lifestyles of the various cities and regional centres throughout Australia. This film shows an idyllic picture of life in the Queensland capital of Brisbane in the mid 1960s. Previously uploaded in SD it is now available in 4K HD.

[normakawak]

I saw this for the first time only a few days ago. What a surprise, I saw myself and my mother strolling round the dept store. Mum has passed on so its great to see us both together . And, yes, that's how Brisbane was back in the sixties. People got dressed up then to go out. Brisbane was a safe place to live. Everybody was slim then. People have become isolated from their neighbours now. People was more honest then, more respectful. No drugs.

[gmacg]

My goodness me! What a flood of memories this film brought back to me. In 1964, I was 18 years old in June. I had already been in the Army for three years. Should have enlisted at the age of 17 which was the official age for enlistment but I lied about my age and joined up in 1961, which was 2 months after arriving in Australia from Scotland. My dad signed the papers for me, but did pick up that I had not entered my date of birth. I told him to sign the papers and I would put the DOB in late. Poor old dad thought the Australian Army enlistment age was 15 yrs which was when boys signs up as Boy Soldiers in the British Army. Got married to the love of my life in September 1964, and bought my first new car that cost me 1032 Pounds (A standard EH Holden Station wagon) on 12 December 1964. Life was much simpler then. We did not have all the gizmos kids today have. we were happy and contented. Looking at the decorum and respectful way people behaved then makes me want to go back to that era. I miss i so much. Now; after 55 years (55 in September) of marriage, my wife and I look back to our seven children and 29 grand children with a great deal of happiness. I remember the Roma Street station in Brisbane back in 1964 which is how I remember it. Wonderful Memories. Thanks for sharing.

[briantayler]

I am 62, so 7, living in Stafford, when this was made. It brings back many memories

[sandyellis]

Holy siht! This is THE Brisbane we came to in April ‘65! Compared to the Liverpool of my childhood, this place was weird. My dad loved it, he was thrilled to pieces with it - a pioneering adventurer at heart, he saw nothing but opportunity, sunshine, and wondrous new beginnings. But 7 year old me was like my mother - we’d landed on an alien, sun-scorched, weird, backwater colony and just wanted to go home to Liverpool. One word became taboo: “homesick”. We weren’t even allowed to whisper it much less openly cry for Kirkdale, Aunty Dolly, our cousins and me nin. My mother put in 10 hard years then finally had the money to go home. For the rest of her life she flew back and forth between Brisbane and the UK more times than I can remember. My dad had a plaque that read, “Happiness is never having to leave Queensland”. He was an adventurer, my dad, and he travelled the world, but he always loved Brisbane, QLD. It was always his home.

[robsgardeningchanel]

i can’t believe australia used to look like this. amazing

[jennine]

Saw Ian Drury and The Blockheads at Cloudland ….. was such an awesome venue. 🙂❤️🧚‍♀️

[drwhiteguru]

Thank you for uploading this! I moved to Brisbane in 1971 from California, I was 9. I have some great memories and its sad to read these comments about how much it changed there. I moved back in '74. But living in Australia was a magical experience and it felt like I went back in time. We didn't lock our doors or our bikes at school.

[chriswatson]

As an historical record this is pure gold. It's slanted towards the more clean living side of Brisbane at the time (naturally), but other than that it's a very accurate portrayal of living in Brisbane in 1964.

[rodpettet]

Good times. A simpler happy life. Plenty of work and in general a healthier population.
It was nice to see the city hall steps before they were covered by the roof of the King George carpark!

[johnh]

The city I was born in in the year I was born. Makes this so special to me. It didn't change much for another 20 years and then bang, it got a shot of Expo and that was Brisbane as we once knew it.

[risitasfrance]

A beautiful time. The place where you would like to grow up and to live. Until today’s world Australia is an amazing place to live ! 🙏

[Tina-Marie-izzy]

Ah good ol' Brissie the way it was and should still be today. I miss those days.

[me-cqwv]

I love Brisbane. Would not want to stay anywhere else in the world. Paradise found for me.

[nealenewton]

A fabulous time capsule of our lives and times. How our society has changed so much. Somewhat amusing Dad and his ever present pipe! NFSA keep these treasures going:))

[darcyw]

Feels good to see the trams again. My dad and grandparents always told me about them and know I get to see them.

[nicoledeloncrais]

I grew up in Queensland when we returned to oz in 1973. This is literally my memories.

[gregwallace]

Looks fantastic in 4k on a big screen. I grew up in Brisbane 60's and 70's and this brings back memories. Thank you.

[DrAElemayo]

I'm very impressed with the quality of this video, as well as the editing and cinematography. Especially given that it's from the 60s!

[cscott]

Thank you so much for this video, great memories of a fantastic time to be Australian .

[DiHandley]

People had so little...stuff in those days. No mobile phones, no late night shopping, no iPads. I don’t think having more now has made us any happier.