Series descriptive note

Summary heading

Function and purpose

The ANARE audio-visual collection is comprised of original master, master dub or edited master footage of Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) expeditions. The series contains items in a variety of formats including original motion picture film, Betacam, MiniDV, MiniDV HDV and U-matic video tape complies dating from 1947 to 2007. 

As of 2022, the series already consisted of 606 original motion picture films and 115 SP Betacam video tapes containing original footage. There are also 70 U-matic video tape compiles which are copies of some of the films.

Series was originally titled 'Original films of early Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions [ANARE], but was changed prior to the latest transfer into the series. 

This series consists of material shot during Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions [ANARE] spanning activities and operations in Antarctica and subantarctic, South Ocean and Australia. The collection includes scenes, persons, animals, birds, objects and events and provides an insight into, and a record of most aspects of life and work in the particular areas under particular conditions. Some of the material in this series is from the ANARE stock footage library and as such there are multiple versions of some footage which was used over a number of years for various productions, some produced by other production companies.

The collection provides a record of all aspects of Australian National Antartic Research Expeditions life and operations - the conditions experienced at differing periods in time and at different times of the year, the equipment used, the progress made in the development of stations, observations of birds and animals etc. It provides a unique record for research into aspects of the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and Southern Ocean region. Subjects include field work; expeditions to conduct scientific testing; sample collecting; and a diverse range of wildlife. Locations covered are Australia's stations on Casey, Davis, Mawson, Heard Island and Macquarie Island. Also included is the US station Wilkes which Australia was permitted to use from 1957 to 1969. There are also expeditions to Kerguelen and Balleny Islands.

Station life is shown including the arrival of supplies; changeover of people; arrival, unloading and building of station huts; huskies including new husky pups; social events including the ANARE Wives Associations mid-winter dinner.

Ships and airplanes of note include the Wyatt Earp, Thala Dan, Nella Dan and Kista Dan. Wildlife includes: Various species of penguin; Fur seals, Elephant seals, Leopard seals; numerous bird species including the Giant Petrel and many more. Scientists are shown conducting tests as well as interacting with the animals, some footage is of a graphic nature.

Most of the titles are descriptive and usually start with the station, the date and then the subjects contained.

Copy History

This series contains audiovisual formats. As audiovisual formats are either technically obsolete or susceptible to deterioration, some items in this series have been copied to ensure their preservation.

353 of the film titles were copied in 1997 by the controlling agency. These video compiles can be found in series:

P2731, Video tapes of early Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions [ANARE], 1935-1985.

Paper documents relating to some of the items in this series have been separated from the films due to differing storage requirements. These paper documents have been created as sub-items of the films they relate to and controlled under a separate series:

P2841, Paper documents related to audiovisual items in P2677, Original films of early Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions [ANARE].

An export of the database in P2729 is available.

Related legislation

Using the series

Language of material

Physical characteristics

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Access conditions

Series history

371 items transferred in 2023 (?) - containing a variety of formats including Betacam, MiniDV and MiniDV HDV dating from 1985 to 2007. 

Provenance

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Publication note

Additional information

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