ABC war correspondent Chester Wilmot (1911-1954) pioneered the use of recording equipment in the field.

In 1901-02, Baldwin Spencer and Frances James (FJ) Gillen undertook an anthropological research expedition to Central Australia.

Sound Curator Tessa Elieff celebrates World Wildlife Day with a selection of field recordings of unique Australian wildlife.

A series of highlight excerpts from The Oceania Project collection, selected by NFSA Sound curator, Tessa Elieff.

A series of highlight excerpts from the Brendan John Casey, Bioacoustic Monitoring, Growling Grass Frogs collection, selected by NFSA Sound curator, Tessa Elieff.

A series of highlight excerpts from the Vicki Powys Wildlife Sounds Database, selected by NFSA Sound curator, Tessa Elieff.

The voice-over announces 'the male koala grunting’. We hear a series of deep-voiced grunts similar to the sounds of a large pig.

Summary by Maryanne Doyle

In the 1960s when field recordist Mark Franklin was born, East Australian Humpback whales were near extinction. Their number have since recovered.

In this recording of Chook the lyrebird, made for ABC TV in 1987, the bird's call resembles the sound of workers.

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