By National Archives of Australia
Come to colour
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
In celebration of the arrival of colour television in Australia on 1 March 1975, the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) created a series of animated film clips to play between programs.
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
Colourful, fun and a little off-beat, the clips range from 8 seconds to over a minute long, showing different creatures and characters enjoying colour television.
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
These animations were most likely drawn by illustrator Allan Stomann, known for his wonderful ABC Let's Sing school songbook drawings from the 1970s and 80s.
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
The original film is now at the National Archives of Australia in the ABC's archival collection. It was rediscovered for use in the National Archives' first audiovisual exhibition Tuning In in 2015.
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
The film's condition has deteriorated somewhat over time. Its original full colour vibrancy is now principally a red-pink palette.
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
Two of the three colour dye layers (cyan and yellow) have faded, leaving magenta the prominent hue. The film has now been preserved digitally, to prevent further damage.
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
The National Archives' audiovisual preservation team continues to preserve and protect the largest audiovisual collection in Australia.
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
We hope you enjoy this animated blast from the past and can imagine the excitement when colour television arrived in 1975!
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
Keep scrolling for for more clips!
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
ABC Colour Television Promos (c. 1974) by Australian Broadcasting Commission and Allan Stomann (illustrator)National Archives of Australia
This exhibit draws from Tuning In, an exhibition developed by the National Archives of Australia in 2015, drawing on its wealth of ABC television material. News footage, dramas, comedies, music and children's programs are just a small sample of this vast collection - and of course these wonderfully creative promotional clips.
