The collection started in 1935 when the Government established the National Historical Film and Speaking Record Library (as part of the National Commonwealth Library). The collection continued to grow in size and complexity when in 1984 the government of the day created a separate collecting institution.

ScreenSound Australia's headquarters is in Canberra and is open daily for visitors to experience much of this wonderful collection.

A free exhibition 'Sights + Sounds of a Nation' explores screen and sound history from 1896 to the multimedia world of today. ScreenSound Australia's programs such as the Travelling Film and Sound Show and Big Screen take the collection to the wider community, visiting regional areas and giving presentations at festivals and shows.

Further access to the collection can be gained through ScreenSound Australia's Offices in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, and Access Centres at State Libraries in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Perth, as well as through education programs, study and research facilities and our Website screensound.gov.au.

For a number of years now this wonderful heritage material so carefully collected and preserved at ScreenSound Australia has been made available on Video, DVD and CD through many retail outlets. From the comfort of their homes, Australians have the opportunity to step back in time and glimpse of the beginnings of our nation on film and through sound. Many stories are told – from the outback to the sea, in the cities and in the country, and through events that have helped shape our nation. The past comes alive as we share unforgettable moments from the 1896 Melbourne Cup to Damien Parer's 1942 Oscar winning 'Kokoda Front Line'; from Capt De Groot opening the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Bicentennial celebrations on Sydney Harbour; from Dad & Dave to the songs of Johnny Chester.

SILENT FEATURE FILMS
Australia had a booming film industry before 1920. At least 259 silent feature films are known to have been made and released in Australia between 1906 and 1930 when the introduction of sound technology revolutionised filmmaking. Sadly only a handful of these silent films survive. ScreenSound Australia has restored a number of these films from the original nitrate film stock and released them on video. They include The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906), arguably the world's first feature film. Films about bushrangers, were popular until banned by censors who were concerned about the effect on public morals.

Surviving fragments of some of these bushranger films including the Kelly film, Robbery Under Arms (1907) and Thunderbolt (1910) are available on a ScreenSound Australia release titled Bail Up! Other films available in the Silent Cinema series include The Sentimental Bloke (1919), The Kid Stakes (1927) and A Girl of the Bush (1921).

EARLY FEATURE FILMS
Many of Australia's feature films are available from ScreenSound Australia; Showgirl's Luck, first released in 1931, is considered Australia's first film with sound.

The first feature to be filmed in colour was Charles Chauvel's classic, Jedda (1955). Also available for the first time is the delightful cinematic version of Ethel Turner's Seven Little Australians, (1939).

RADIO AND SOUND RECORDING
Australia's radio and sound recording industries have their own story to tell. The collection includes early cylinder recordings, 78rpm,vinyls through to todays digital recordings.

Many of these recordings are now available on CD. Our catalogue; includes such gems as Nellie Melba Aria & Song; Jack Davey's Hi Ho Everybody; Harry Robertson's Whale Chasing Men; and Dick Parry Tasmania's Yodelling Hillbilly.

ScreenSound Australia cares for one of the largest audiovisual collections in Australia. Though it is not possible to keep everything, items of cultural significance are given priority. Material has often been rescued from rubbish tips, from under beds and the 'back shed', but much of the collection today is donated by people in the film and broadcasting industry. For example, entertainer Lorrae Desmond has donated her extensive collection of personal memorabilia and film director Peter Weir has a mint copy of his films housed with ScreenSound Australia.