Skip to content | Skip to document navigation

Research Guides


Sound Recordings in the National Archives


11. Science

This section includes sound recordings made by agencies that were either responsible for scientific research or actively concerned with the dissemination of scientific knowledge.

Australian Broadcasting Commission

The Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), Head Office (CA 251) was established under the Australian Broadcasting Commission Act 1932. The Commission was a government-controlled body, closely modelled on the British Broadcasting Commission, responsible for broadcasting music, current affairs, religious, educational and other programs. (See Chapter 3 for a more comprehensive description).

PROGRAM RECORDINGS, SINGLE NUMBER SERIES, 'SA' (SOUTH AUSTRALIA) PREFIX, 1933–70
Sydney
This series consists of 10" and 12" gramophone disc recordings of Australian Broadcasting Commission radio programs broadcast in South Australia. They include speeches, documentaries, plays and music. In 1991 preservation tape copies of the discs were made by the Sydney Office of the National Archives. Reference cassette copies are available.
Series: C1829
Quantity: 0.99 metres
Recorded by: 1933–70 Australian Broadcasting Commission, South Australia (CA 2639)
Dr Rutherford, c1960 C1829, SA69
Bird calls: Healesville, Victoria, 1951 C1829, SA117
ABC TRANSCRIPTION RECORDINGS, UNREGISTERED SERIES, 1950–
Sydney
This series consists of transcription recordings of ABC programs, including book readings, orchestral music and documentaries.
Series: C918
Quantity: 9 metres
Recorded by: 1950–83 Australian Broadcasting Commission (CA 251); 1983– Australian Broadcasting Corporation (CA 3589)
Weather Bureau, Hobart, 20 February 1952 C918, 35
Lyre bird calls – recorded in Victoria, dubbed in Sydney, 1952 C918, COL998
The koala, the kangaroo, the kookaburra, the lyre bird, the echidna, the platypus – Vincent Serventy, 1953 C918, AWA18
MASTER SAFEGUARD (MAGNETIC SOUND) TAPES OF WILDLIFE AND NATURE SOUNDS, 1970–73
Melbourne
The tapes in this series are part of the series B593 (see below), which is a compilation of natural history sound tapes.
Series: SP1389/1
Quantity: 1.8 metres
Recorded by: 1970–73 Australian Broadcasting Commission, Television Features (CA 251)
TAPE RECORDINGS OF 'SCOPE', SELECTED PROGRAMS, 1970–76
Sydney
Series: SP1384/1
Quantity: 1.98 metres
Recorded by: 1970–76 Australian Broadcasting Commission (CA 251)
Trees – Can the Forest Survive?, no. 1, c1970 SP1384/1, 847
'MASTER PILOT TAPES', NATURAL HISTORY SOUND TAPES, 1971–95
Melbourne
This series was recorded by the Natural History Unit of ABC Victoria. The tapes in the series record the sounds of animals, insects, reptiles, volcanos, hot springs, swamps, waterways and native village life including celebrations, atmosphere and general effects. The tapes were prepared for use in films and are arranged by program number. The material was copied from the master tapes.
Series: B593
Quantity: 1.08 metres
Recorded by: 1971–83 Australian Broadcasting Commission, Victoria (CA 2056)
MASTER PILOT TAPES 'BIRD OF THE VOLCANOES', 'BIRD OF PARADISE' AND 'EYES OF THE RIVER', 1973
Melbourne
Tapes in this series are part of B593 (see above).
Series: MP1759/1
Quantity: 0.54 metres
Recorded by: 1973 Australian Broadcasting Commission, Victoria (CA 2056)
AUDIO-CASSETTES OF ABC RADIO PROGRAMS, 1976–
Sydney
Series: C1391
Quantity: 4.14 metres
Recorded by: 1976–83 Australian Broadcasting Commission (CA 251); 1983– Australian Broadcasting Corporation (CA 3589)
'Science Show' – David Suzuki in Australia, parts 1–3, 1987 C1391, ISBN 0/642/53031/9

arrowright NEXT PAGE | Chapter 12: Works

arrowleft PREVIOUS PAGE | Chapter 10: Promotion and Advertising

TOP OF PAGE