Presented by the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) and the City of Greater Geelong, the film offers a vivid and sentimental portrait of everyday life in the city nearly 60 years ago.
A slice of Geelong’s past is lighting up the night sky this month, as a cherished snapshot of mid-1960s life is projected in Shorts Place.
The short film Life in Australia: Geelong (1966) is being showcased nightly from dusk between May 15 and June 18, coinciding with the closing weeks of the Australian Heritage Festival.
Life in Australia: Geelong (1966)
- When: Nightly from May 15 to June 18
- Where: Shorts Place, Geelong CBD
- May 22, Community event register: here
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Originally produced by the Department of Immigration and directed by Antonio Colacino, the 20-minute documentary was part of a broader campaign to attract European immigrants by highlighting the opportunities and lifestyle on offer in various Australian cities.
As the soft flicker of vintage footage plays against the walls of Shorts Place, long-time Geelong residents are being invited to take a walk down memory lane. The city hopes the film will evoke shared recollections and prompt conversations about how the community has changed — and what has remained the same.
A special celebration will take place on May 22 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, inviting locals to gather, watch the film, and share their personal stories of Geelong from decades past. Organisers say it will be a heartfelt evening, connecting generations through film, memory, and community.
For those looking to reconnect with their roots, or simply experience a different time in Geelong’s evolution, Life in Australia: Geelong is a must-see — and a moving tribute to the city’s enduring spirit.
