Bicentenary 1988

These iconic images of Bicentenary celebrations and protests on Sydney Harbour beautifully evoke memories of the day, including the tall ships and pleasure craft dotting the harbour and shores and headlands full of people. This news story also alludes to existing tensions between pride, mourning, excitement, anger and hope evident on the 200th anniversary of Captain Arthur Phillip raising the flag of Great Britain in Port Jackson. Set to evocative snippets of 'Waltzing Matilda' and 'Advance Australia Fair', this piece was broadcast on Ten News on Australia Day, 26 January 1988.

The 1988 Australian of the Year, John Farnham says tearfully, 'We are right to instil national pride in our children. But please, let's make our national pride encompass humanity', referring to the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. We hear a tiny snippet of Farnham's song 'Pressure Down', used to identify Farnham and echo footage of Survival Day protests. Prince Charles remarks in his speech, 'There is no point now in trying to gloss over the circumstances in which the country, of which you are rightly proud, began. Indeed, to face those facts is a necessary part of realising just how proud you should be.'

News editor Craig Reynolds has captured the heightened emotions of the day effectively. Familiar sights from the year of the Bicentenary include tall ships, Australian flags, Aboriginal flags, a blimp, Sydney Harbour, green and gold balloons and fireworks. 

Notes by Beth Taylor