Expo 88 and South Bank

This short segment focuses on the metamorphosis of the South Bank site in Brisbane along Maiwar (Brisbane River).

Using a variety of news footage and archival material we see the space changing from a busy wharf to the venue for Expo 88 and finally its redevelopment into South Bank parklands.

World Expo 88 was a significant moment in Brisbane’s history and went from April to October 1988, attracting over 15 million visitors.

The main focus of the exposition were 100 pavilions from different countries and Australian states along the theme of ‘leisure in the age of technology’.

Other attractions included in this clip are the monorail, street performers and the platypus mascot named Expo Oz. The clip features the Expo 88 theme song ‘Together We’ll Show the World’ by Frank Millward and Carol Lloyd.

This 30-second segment is a good example of using eye-catching footage from many angles including helicopter footage and an evocative soundtrack to tell a story and convey a vibe, even in a relatively short space of time.

There is even a cameo appearance from Beyond 2000’s Amanda Keller wearing a hat and 1980s spiked hair.

This excerpt comes from the Seven News Brisbane special Queensland: Flashback 150 Years, broadcast on 30 May 2009. It was produced for the 150th anniversary of the state of Queensland. Queensland formally separated from New South Wales on 6 June 1859.

Notes by Beth Taylor