Vocalist John James Villiers, with piano accompaniment, performs a song which features imitations of chooks. The Hen Convention was recorded in 1896 and is the earliest known Australian sound recording.

Summary by Maryanne Doyle

In this recording, Fanny Cochrane Smith talks about being the last of the Tasmanians. She then sings in both English and her own language. It is part of a series of recordings made between 1899 and 1903.

Summary by Sophia Sambono

This is a 30-second clip from a simulated recording of Australian troops docking in Egypt after their voyage from Australia to take part in the First World War. They are greeted by jovial ‘Tommies’ and a band that plays 'Advance Australia Fair’.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

Men at Work sing about travelling the world and what it means to come 'from a land down under’.

Summary by Martin Ford

Dame Nellie Melba’s early recording of 'Chant Vénitien’, a song composed by Herman Bemberg, who accompanies her in this recording. It was made for the Gramophone Company in London on 20 October 1904.

Summary by Graham McDonald

Johnny O’Keefe first visited America in November 1959, convinced he could make it in the birthplace of rock 'n’ roll. Almost by chance, he managed to arrange a meeting at Liberty Records where he signed a five-year recording contract.

He recorded 'She’s My Baby’ in Los Angeles in late 1959 with producer Snuffy Garret and the best session musicians Liberty could find, including drummer Earl Palmer and guitarists Barney Kessel and Scotty Turner.

'She’s My Baby’ was released in Australia on 7 January 1960 and became his first number one record. The song has a slick and polished sound, because of the superior production facilities and experienced staff available in America at that time.

Friday on My Mind by the Easybeats was composed by Harry Vanda and George Young. Recorded in London in 1966, it was released as a single later that year. This clip includes the start of the song and first verse.

Summary by Thorsten Kaeding

This clip directly follows David Smith, official secretary to the Governor-General, reading a proclamation dissolving both houses of Parliament on the steps of old Parliament House, Canberra, on 11 November 1975, a few hours after the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, had dismissed the government of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. Mr Whitlam follows Mr Smith’s proclamation with some famous words on what will befall the Governor-General.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

This is the first verse of ‘Jailanguru Pakarnu’, a 12-bar rock and blues song performed in this clip by the Warumpi Band. It is the first rock song in an Aboriginal language to achieve widespread airplay and recognition.

Summary by Brenda Gifford

This 1931 version of ‘Along the Road to Gundagai’, composed by Jack O’Hagan in 1921, is performed by popular singer of the day Peter Dawson. This clip features the lesser known opening verse of the song.

Summary by Martin Ford

Sir Ernest Shackleton describes the loss of Socks the pony into the crevasse, and the accident which saved Frank Wild’s life – the broken ‘swingletree’ connecting horse and sledge.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

This is a clip from (I’m) Stranded, performed by the Saints and written by Ed Kuepper and Chris Bailey. This song and the single’s B-side, No Time, were recorded at Bruce Windows Studios in Brisbane.

Summary Thorsten Kaeding

This audio clip is from the original recording, made in London by the Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, of Charles Williams’ 'Majestic Fanfare’.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

Djedbang-ari is a three-part Indigenous manikay (song) and dance from the Yirrkala district in the far north-east of Arnhem Land.

Summary by Sophie Sambono

Dad (George Edwards) and Dave (John Saul) discuss Dave’s hope to marry Mabel, as Dad examines the farm’s finances. Money is too tight for Dad to offer his son a house, which would allow Dave to ask Mabel to marry him. Dave tries to fix the clock, with disastrous consequences.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

Harold Blair sings 'Maranoa Lullaby’ on an unreleased recording from 1950.

Summary by Brenda Gifford

This is an excerpt from a recording of the ballet suite from 'Corroboree’, composed by John Antill. Performed in the Ashfield Town Hall on 5 December 1950 for capturing by His Master’s Voice, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Sir Eugene Goossens.

Summary by Vincent Plush

As part of an oral history recorded by John Meredith, Jack Luscombe sings ‘Sam Griffiths’, a satirical political song about a Queensland politician of the late 19th century.

Summary by Graham McDonald

This excerpt from Swanston St Shamble is among the first jazz recording of Graeme Bell’s Dixieland Band, from a session in January 1944.

Summary by Ian Gilmour

This excerpt from Two Day Jag is among the first jazz recording of Graeme Bell’s Dixieland Band, from a session in January 1944.

Summary by Ian Gilmour

Buddy Williams sings Give A Little Credit to Your Dad, urging sons to visit their fathers – including a monologue section and a yodelling finale. This excerpt is from the start of the song.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

Buddy Williams sings Lonesome For Your Mother Dear, a sad song about a man missing his dead mother. This clip is from the start of the song.

Summary by Paul Byrnes