Ever wondered what life in Geelong was in the 1960s?
Head to Shorts Place Projection Space on the corner of Shorts Place and Little Malop Street from dusk until June 18 for the short film Life in Australia: Geelong (1966).
In partnership with the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) visitors can experience a unique snapshot of Geelong’s history projected onto the city’s streets.
The film, which ties in with the finale of the Australian Heritage Festival, offers a glimpse into Geelong’s vibrant industrial past and the everyday lives of its residents in the mid-1960s.
Directed by Antonio Colacino, ‘Life in Australia: Geelong’ was produced by the Department of Immigration as part of a series of promotional films aimed at encouraging European immigrants to move to Australia and seize the opportunities the country had to offer.
The 20-minute film highlights Geelong’s industrial heart depicting many city sites in their heyday, including the grain elevators, refinery, cement works and, of course, the Ford factory.
With depictions of everyday life and customs, the film is a rosy picture from a certain point in history and invites the viewer to think of the ways in which Geelong has progressed socially over the intervening decades.
Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the importance of local story has been a recurring theme voiced in feedback on the community engagement for a new Public Art Strategy 2025.
“The City will continue to explore opportunities to showcase our unique stories and celebrate our culture through the Shorts Place Projection Space program,” he said.
“Whether you’re a long-time resident or a newcomer to Geelong, this is an opportunity to experience the city’s history like never before.”
