Amazing Kodachrome Slides of Sydney From Above in 1970

Sydney in the early 1970s was a city on the cusp of transformation, both culturally and socially. It was a time of change, with the lingering echoes of the 1960s counterculture blending into the evolving landscape of the ’70s. The city’s skyline was rapidly changing, with the construction of the iconic Sydney Opera House in full swing, and the Harbour Bridge still standing as a symbol of the city’s past.

The streets of Sydney, particularly in areas like Kings Cross and Darlinghurst, were lively and buzzing with the energy of a more liberal social atmosphere. The rise of cafes, art galleries, and small theaters gave birth to a burgeoning counterculture, as people sought a more relaxed, open lifestyle.

These amazing Kodachrome slides from mjcas that captured Sydney from above in February 1970.

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The Amazing Story of Running Legend Cliff Young, the 61 Year Old Farmer Who Won the World’s Toughest Race in 1983

Every year from between 1983 and 1991, Australia held 543.7-mile (875-kilometer) endurance racing from Sydney to Melbourne. It is considered among the world’s most grueling ultra-marathons. The race takes five days to complete and is normally only attempted by world-class athletes who train specially for the event. These athletes are typically less than 30 years old and backed by large companies such as Nike.

In 1983, a man named Cliff Young showed up at the start of this race. He was 61 years old and wore overalls and work boots. To everyone’s shock, Cliff wasn’t a spectator. He picked up his race number and joined the other runners. The press and other athletes became curious and questioned Cliff. They told him, “You’re crazy, there’s no way you can finish this race.” To which he replied, “Yes I can. See, I grew up on a farm where we couldn’t afford horses or tractors, and the whole time I was growing up, whenever the storms would roll in, I’d have to go out and round up the sheep. We had 2,000 sheep on 2,000 acres. Sometimes I would have to run those sheep for two or three days. It took a long time, but I’d always catch them. I believe I can run this race.”

When the race started, the pros quickly left Cliff behind. The crowds and television audience were entertained because Cliff didn’t even run properly; he appeared to shuffle. Many even feared for the old farmer’s safety. All of the professional athletes knew that it took about 5 days to finish the race. In order to compete, one had to run about 18 hours a day and sleep the remaining 6 hours. The thing is, Cliff Young didn’t know that!

When the morning of the second day came, everyone was in for another surprise. Not only was Cliff still in the race, he had continued jogging all night. Eventually Cliff was asked about his tactics for the rest of the race. To everyone’s disbelief, he claimed he would run straight through to the finish without sleeping.

Cliff kept running. Each night he came a little closer to the leading pack. By the final night, he had surpassed all of the young, world-class athletes. He was the first competitor to cross the finish line and he set a new course record.

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Nurse in the Interior of Coast Hospital Horsedrawn Ambulance in Sydney, ca. 1900s

In the early 1900s, the sight of a nurse seated on the back of a horse-drawn ambulance at the Coast Hospital in Sydney was a testament to the grit and determination of medical professionals in a time of limited technology. The clatter of horses' hooves echoed through the hospital grounds as the ambulance made its way to the hospital, a stark contrast to the modern, motorized vehicles we see today.

This nurse, with her crisp white uniform and steadfast demeanor, embodied the spirit of an era when healthcare was as much about dedication as it was about skill. The Coast Hospital, which would later become the Prince of Wales Hospital, was a beacon of hope for the sick and injured.

Here, patients were transported not by the hum of an engine, but by the steady trot of a horse, each journey a reminder of the lengths to which medical staff would go to provide care.

As the ambulance pulled up to the hospital entrance, the nurse prepared to assist the patient, her calm presence a source of comfort in a time of uncertainty. This scene, simple yet profound, highlights a chapter in Sydney’s healthcare history when even the most basic of resources were used with utmost care and compassion. In the face of adversity, these early healthcare workers forged a path that would lead to the advanced medical services we rely on today.

(Photos by © Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collection)

Horse-Drawn Melbourne Fire Engine Converted to Motor Drive, 1914

In July 1914 the oil fired Steamer at MFB Station 38 South Melbourne was motorized with the addition of an Itala car converted to a tractor and designated as Car 23. The conversion was carried out at the MFB Workshops.

This bizarre vehicle was built by shortening a heavy touring car, by moving its rear axle to just behind the gearbox, removing the rear wheels, and fixing it to the chassis side-members. The rear springs were reversed and rested on the front axle of the fire engine. That is the middle set of wheels visible; they were chain-driven from what had been the car rear axle.

The original front axle of the fire-engine swiveled, and this was presumably retained to avoid a long rigid wheelbase, so it was effectively an articulated vehicle. It was built because there had been a spate of serious accidents when people tried to tow fire-engines with cars.

Unique Vehicles Used to Promote Life Savers Lollies From the 1920s and 1930s

In 1912, an American businessman named Ed Noble learned of a peppermint candy shaped like a life saver. Through Ed’s pioneering efforts in tinfoil packaging, distinctive label design and easy-reach product display, this candy with its distinctive ‘O’ shape quickly became an everyday favorite.

The first Life Savers factory was established in Australia in 1921 on Parramatta Road in Sydney, and from that moment, Life Savers was on a roll down under. An enterprising young Australian named Bill Kirby saw the potential of Life Savers and he played a prominent role in building Life Savers in Australia and across Asia.

Advertising its product had been an important part of Life Savers, starting with newspaper, magazine, and radio advertising. Television, let alone the internet, was far in the future. But the company was tuned in with the times and promoted its product with some interesting rolling billboards.

While trucks were naturals for displaying a company’s wares on their painted sides, several companies took this one step farther, building vehicles which resembled the actual product. The most remembered examples of this are the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, and the Zippo lighter car. Life Savers was at the forefront of this trend with several fleets of mechanized marketing vehicles used by its sales staff. Perhaps the most blatant mobile display was the fleet of 1933 Dodges with car bodies purpose-built to resemble 15-foot long rolls of Life Savers. Advertising at the time noted the “body” on the Dodge was S4,000 times the size of a regular pack of the candy with the hole.

These custom-made cars were powered by a six-cylinder engine, and featured optional wire wheels and rare whitewall tires to dress them up. It appears the car’s engine, frame, running gear, fenders, and bumpers are all that were used from the donor car. There is a good chance the chrome headlight pods were retained, fitted into the circular body at the front. The “hole” in the car’s front would have been open to allow air to the radiator and engine compartment. The cars sport just two seats, have a custom windshield, and no weather protection.

Photos of the Grand Prix at Bathurst, New South Wales in 1946

In October 1946, the New South Wales 100-mile Grand Prix motor race was run at Bathurst, attracting a field of 32 cars, including five from Victoria and two from Queensland. On the day, around 30,000 people turned out for the race which was won by AS Najar of Sydney, with JP Hind in second place and AV Johnson third. This was a spectacular win for the first-time entrant, who drove a modified standard touring model MG, with a specially built monoposto (single-seater) body, shaped to fit the driver.

The over-1500cc handicap was won by F Kleinig, driving a Hudson Special. WB Murray, also driving a Hudson Special, crossed the line in second place. The track took its toll on the cars, with five of the 15 starters retiring with engine trouble.

Apparently the race also marked the first time a female driver, Joan Richmond, competed in the event. She was behind the wheel of a Q-Type MG fitted with a super-charged engine. Unfortunately, there are no recorded photographs in this collection from State Library of New South Wales.

John Crouch in a Delahaye 135 followed by Alby Johnson in a an MG TC, Grand Prix, Bathurst, October 1946

Alf Najar in an MG TB racing car, Grand Prix, Bathurst, October 1946

Alf Najar, Grand Prix winner at Bathurst, October 1946

Belf Jones in a Buick Special in front of Bill MacLachlan in a modified MG TA, Grand Prix, Bathurst, October 1946

Bill Conoulty and his Austin 7 Comet, Grand Prix, Bathurst, October 1946

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Bohemian Sydney Through Brian Bird’s Lens

From the late 19th century to the early 1970s, there was a distinctive bohemian subculture in Sydney. Alternative thinkers gathered in private houses, clubs and coffee houses. Some of the best known bohemian hangouts were Kings Cross and the area around Rowe Street (demolished in the 1970s to make way for the MLC Centre).

One of these Rowe Street cafes, the Lincoln Coffee Lounge, is considered the birthplace of the “Sydney Push” movement in its early days, just after the war. A popular meeting place for artists and writers, it comprised a mixture of university students, lecturers, Bohemians & Libertarians.

These fascinating photos from State Library of New South Wales were taken by Brian Bird that show Bohemian life in Sydney around 1948 and 1951.

‘Johnno’ Robert Johnson; unknown from Lincoln Coffee Lounge & Cafe, Rowe Street, Sydney, 1948-1951

Anne Barrett from Lincoln Coffee Lounge & Cafe, Rowe Street, Sydney, 1948-1951

Dick Gooding (on right of door) from Lincoln Coffee Lounge & Cafe, Rowe Street, Sydney, 1948-1951

Dick Gooding, journalist from Lincoln Coffee Lounge & Cafe, Rowe Street, Sydney, 1948-1951

Ede Cohen (usually on cash register); or Martin Edie from Lincoln Coffee Lounge & Cafe, Rowe Street, Sydney, 1948-1951

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Uni Students Hang an FJ Holden From the Adelaide University Footbridge, as a Prosh Day Prank in 1971

In 1971, Adelaide University Engineering students pulled off a prank that saw an FJ Holden suspended from the footbridge.

An FJ Holden dangles from a city bridge over the River Torrens in 1971, in one of the most infamous Prosh Day pranks in Adelaide’s history.

Of course it’s important to realize that the tale becomes more grand with each telling but a witness account went like this; “Under cover of the early hours of one Friday morning, a group of volunteers pushed the FJ Holden under the bridge next to the water on the southern bank of the Torrens.

“The car was lifted using beams and lifting gear attached to a small hand-operated crane on the footbridge. The crane, with car attached, was then pushed out to the centre of the bridge. The car was firmly secured to the bridge using a large chain. The crane and volunteers then quickly disappeared into the night and were never found.”

The prank is still part of student folklore.

Beautiful Photos of the Jenolan Caves around 1900

The Jenolan Caves are limestone caves located within the Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve in the Central Tablelands region, west of the Blue Mountains, in Jenolan, Oberon Council, New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The caves and 3,083-hectare (7,620-acre) reserve are situated approximately 175 kilometers (109 mi) west of Sydney, 20 kilometers (12 mi) east of Oberon and 30 kilometers (19 mi) west of Katoomba (74 kilometers (46 mi) by road). Dating back to 340million years ago, it is the oldest known and dated open cave system in the world.

The caves are the most visited of several similar groups in the limestone caves of the country, and the most ancient discovered open caves in the world. They include numerous Silurian marine fossils and the calcite formations, sometimes pure white, are noted for their beauty. The cave network follows the course of a subterranean section of the Jenolan River. It has more than 40 kilometers (25 mi) of multi-level passages and over 300 entrances. The complex is still being explored. The caves are a tourist destination, with eleven illuminated show caves open to paying visitors.

The caves and conservation reserve are one of the eight protected areas that was inscribed in 2000 to form part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains Area. Here below is a set of beautiful photos from Powerhouse Museum that shows the Jenolan Caves around 1900.

'The Garden Palace', Jenolan Caves, New South Wales, circa 1900

'Madonna', Imperial Cave, Jenolan Caves, New South Wales, circa 1900

'Architect's Studio', Jenolan Caves, New South Wales, circa 1900

'Architect's Studio', Left Imperial Cave, Jenolan Caves, New South Wales, circa 1900

Cave Road, Jenolan Caves, New South Wales, circa 1900

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Amazing Photos of Beaches in New South Wales Around 1900

New South Wales is a state on the east coast of Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria to the south, and South Australia to the west. Its coast borders the Coral and Tasman Seas to the east. The Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory are enclaves within the state. New South Wales’ state capital is Sydney, which is also Australia’s most populous city.

In the early 1900s, many beaches in New South Wales were already popular destinations, though perhaps not as developed as they are today. Places like Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, and Manly Beach were starting to attract visitors for swimming and seaside activities. However, the infrastructure and amenities were likely more basic compared to what we see today.

Here below is a set of amazing photos from Powerhouse Museum that shows beaches in New South Wales around 1900.

Bondi Bay, Sydney, New South Wales, circa 1900s

Cathedral Rock, Kiama, Sydney, New South Wales, circa 1900s

A bit of the Illawarra Coast, New South Wales, circa 1900s

Coogee Bay, Sydney, New South Wales, circa 1900s

Coogee Beach, Sydney, New South Wales, circa 1900s

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The Saddest Selfie: A Mirror Self-Portrait Taken by Gunner Thomas Baker in 1917

It’s a striking image of a fresh-faced young man taking a picture of himself in front of a dresser mirror in 1917. A self portrait of Gunner Thomas Charles Richmond Baker, 16th Battery, 6th Field Artillery Brigade (later No 4 Squadron AFC). Taken using the reflection in a dresser mirror, the Kodak camera is clearly seen beside Baker. Items on the dresser include a basket, an empty wine bottle and glass and a pile of papers.

Less than a year later, 21-year-old Captain “Rich” Baker was dead, one of the last Australians to be killed in action during the First World War.

A highly decorated flying ace of “exceptional determination and courage,” Baker was shot down over Belgium on November 4, 1918, the 10th anniversary of his father’s death, and just a week before the end of the war.

Today, his name is listed on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial.

Thomas Baker as a cadet pilot, ca. 1917.

Thomas Charles Richmond Baker was born in Smithfield, South Australia, 2 May 1897. He was the eldest son of Richmond Baker, a schoolmaster and farmer, and his wife Annie Martha (née Gardner).

Baker joined the 11th Royal Australian Engineers of the Citizens Military Force on July 29, 1915 and began the war as a reinforcement gunner to the 6th Field Artillery Brigade.

At the age of 19, Baker arrived in France on July 1, 1916 and took part in the Somme offensive. He won the Military Medal near Gueudecourt on December 11, 1916 for repairing a telephone line in thirty separate places under intense enemy fire.

Nieuport, Belgium, ca. 1916: Gunners Thomas Charles Richmond Baker and Harrington of the 16th Battery, Field Artillery, AIF, relaxing in a dugout.

In September 1917, Baker joined the Australian Flying Corps and applied to become an air mechanic. He was instead selected to become a pilot and was posted for flight training. He was promoted to temporary captain and made a flight commander in No. 4 Squadron on October 24.

On November 4, 1918, the whole of No. 80 Wing RAF – of which No. 4 Squadron was part – took to the sky in an effort to “harass the German retreat on the Leuze-Ath road” and to bomb the aerodrome to the east of Leuze.

Thomas Baker led a formation of Sopwith Snipes that had been chosen as a bomber escort when the initial raid was carried out. The battle raged for two or three minutes before dying out. As the Snipes re-grouped, they discovered that two pilots were missing. Baker and fellow ace Lieutenant Arthur Palliser were initially recorded as missing, but were later found to have fallen victim to German ace, Karl “Rittmeister” Bolle.

Captain Thomas Charles Richmond Baker in the cockpit of a Sopwith Camel.

The 21-year-old was credited with 12 victories, including seven aircraft and one balloon destroyed with an additional four planes driven down out of control. He was No. 4 Squadron’s fourth highest scoring ace and on February 8, 1919, the London Gazette carried the posthumous announcement of the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Thomas Baker.

On March 1, 1975: Australian Television Stations Officially Moved to Color

In February 1972 the Australian Government announced that all Australian TV stations would convert to color in March 1975. The transition to color TV was expected to cost the ABC around $46 million and the commercial channels $70 million. Some stations had already installed color-compatible equipment. Color TV had been around for a while overseas and there were experimental telecasts in Australia beginning in October 1974.

On March 1, 1975, Australian television stations officially moved to color. Strangely, one of the earliest shows broadcast in color was The Black and White Minstrel Show. It could never happen today! On the ABC’s show Aunty Jack, the characters made a comical attempt to fight off the advance of color, in mockery of conservative, change-resistant attitudes.

Of course, viewers who wanted color TV had to purchase new sets. It also meant that television commercials, which had previously been shot in black and white had to be shot in color at a considerably higher cost. These were pre-videotape days and color film stock was much pricier.

Some advertisers were quick to capitalize on the potential to show their products in appetizing colocr while others resisted the additional cost involved. By 1978, 70% of households in Sydney and 64% in Melbourne had color TV sets. Australia had one of the fastest change-overs to color television in the world. In 1978 the Melbourne Cup was first televised, live and in color, to a national audience – a great opportunity for the consumption of chicken and champagne Australia-wide.

Cricketer Gary Gilmour accepts a color TV set from Philips consumer manager, Mr Bruce Rowan, February 13, 1976.

Miss Elizabeth Sheppard, of Paddington, with the most expensive television set (a Nordmende Spectra, priced at $1275) on display at David Jones’ Market St. Store, February 23, 1975.

Technicians at National's manufacturing plant at Penrith, work on Pana-Color TV sets on December 27, 1974.

Color receivers at Grace Bros city store draw a steady stream of viewers on October 19, 1974.