Pledge Now to preserve and make the State Library of Western Australia’s heritage film collection accessible to all.

UNESCO identifies that audio visual documents including film, audio and visual recordings are extremely vulnerable and estimates internationally, there is no more than 10 to 15 years within which to transfer audio visual records to digital to prevent their loss.

The State Library of Western Australia wants everyone to have access to the early days of the WA film collection. The Library has close to 10,000 titles on film which feature life on Rottnest Island, the Swan River, early days of Perth trams and steam trains, the Royal Agricultural Show at Claremont Showgrounds, neck-to-knees at the Nedlands Baths, centenary celebrations, Kings Park, early days of AFL, Christmas Parades, Royal visits and family holidays around the state.

The film archives have significant heritage value and provide enormous value to historians, genealogists, school students, journalists and special interest groups. These films provide the rich detail to the many stories to be told about life in Western Australia. By preserving and digitising them, they become accessible online. Viewable from any location via the internet.

Please donate to the State Library of Western Australia's Film Appeal  for heritage audio visual recordings to be digitised and made accessible to all.  

Pledge Now to help us reach our target of $10,000 in just 60 days.

Explore the State Library of Western Australia film collection highlights here

Setting the Scene - WA Film Archive Facts

• The oldest original film held at the State Library is Royal Show 1909  – this film has been digitised.
• The earliest images of Perth street scenes were recorded in 1907. The State Library holds a copy of the film.
• A trip to Rottnest 1912 is believed to be the earliest government commissioned film on WA.
• The estimated cost for preparation, cleaning and digitisising a 30 min (300 metres) 16mm film is $400. Factors considered in this process include the physical format of the film, condition of the film, length of film and if sound is on a separate reel to the images.
• The Library has collected nearly 10,000 films from material donated by individuals and former Western Australian businesses.

All donations made to the WA Heritage Film Appeal (after any Pozible or merchant fees) will go directly to the preparation and digitisation of film from the State Library of Western Australia's collection.

Considerations to me made when undertaking digitisation of audio visual records can include;

• Preparation required for the film to be digitised
• Condition of the film
• Permissions - copyright conditions around making the film available

Samples of film deteriorated beyond repair.