Sylvia Brown Films

Series 1: Motion pictures (1938-1989)

Series number
1
Series title
Motion pictures
Date
1938-1989
Scope and content

Eighteen home movies spanning from the 1930s to the 1980s. The earlier films, shot by J. K. Brown, include movies showing a history of Paxton Farm in Slacks Creek; Townsville and Magnetic Island; and the Great Barrier Reef and Palm Island. There is also home movie footage relating to the Brown family showing suburban scenes and recreational outings. Some of these films relate to the Brown family's association with Paxton Farm - a communal farm run by members of the Quakers (Society of Friends). The later films show trips around Australia and abroad.

Description
18 film reels
Additional format
Digital copies available for selected items
Locate
OMFILMOFFU
Access restrictions
Restricted access.
Copyright status
In copyright
Conditions of use
You are free to use for personal research and study. For other uses see https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/understanding-copyright

Items in this series:

Paxton Farm home movie (1940-1949?)

Unit ID
7432/1
Item title
Paxton Farm home movie
Date
1940-1949?
Scope and content

Home movie giving a history of the Paxton poultry farm, showing life on the farm including land clearing, construction, boring, electric fencing and other activities.

Author / Creator
Brown, J. K.
Description
1 film reel (black and white)
16 mm acetate (Approx. 400 feet)
Additional format
Digital copy available
View the item
Biographical history
Paxton Farm was a communal farm established by The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1941. The farm, located on Dennis Road, Slacks Creek was initially a charcoal business and eventually a poultry farm. The Quakers were conscientious objectors to WWII and were victimised in Brisbane for their stance. The name Paxton is a derivative of the Latin word for peace. Springwood Central Primary School now stands on the site of the farm.
Notes
This film is digitally available at Accession 6625 Paxton Farm motion picture. Accession 6625 is a VHS copy of this film and the film was digitised from VHS as the actual 16mm film is too brittle to transfer.

Townsville, North Queensland home movie (1938)

Unit ID
7432/2
Item title
Townsville, North Queensland home movie
Date
1938
Scope and content

Home movie showing scenes of Townsville and Magnetic Island in the late 1930s. Includes scenes of Flinders Street, the harbour, parks and gardens, views from Castle Hill, and Arcadia and Alma Den on Magnetic Island. The film also shows a surf life saving event on Magnetic Island.

Author / Creator
Brown, J. K.
Description
1 film reel ( 4 min. 41 sec., black and white)
16 mm acetate (Approx. 115 feet)
Additional format
Digital copy available
View the item

A visit to Australia's Great Barrier Reef home movie (1948?)

Unit ID
7432/3
Item title
A visit to Australia's Great Barrier Reef home movie
Date
1948?
Scope and content

Colour home movie showing footage of a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and Palm Island. The film shows extensive scenes of reef life including underwater footage. The last 5 minutes of the film includes footage taken on Palm Island which includes school children, beach scenes, climbing coconut palms and picking coconuts, basket making and weaving and Aboriginal dancing.

Description
1 film reel (16 mm acetate, colour)
Approx. 300 feet , 12 minutes 10 seconds
Additional format
Digital copy available

Home movie (1940-1949?)

Unit ID
7432/4
Item title
Home movie
Date
1940-1949?
Scope and content

Home movie footage showing a road gang laying pipes and riding in a truck as well as houses and machinery.

Author / Creator
Brown, J. K.
Description
1 film reel (9.5 mm acetate, black and white, )
Approx. 70 feet

Home movie (1940-1949?)

Unit ID
7432/5
Item title
Home movie
Date
1940-1949?
Scope and content

Home movie footage showing beach scenes (probably Coolum Beach) including swimming, fishing and a picnic. The film also includes scenes of the Quaker House of Friendship, train travel and an airport.

Author / Creator
Brown, J. K.
Description
1 film reel (9.5 mm acetate, black and white)
Approx. 300 feet
Locate
OMFILM

Home movie (1940-1949?)

Unit ID
7432/6
Item title
Home movie
Date
1940-1949?
Scope and content

Home movie footage showing beach scenes at Coolum including a surf lifesaving carnival.

Author / Creator
Brown, J. K.
Description
1 film reel (9.5 mm acetate, black and white)
Approx. 70 feet

Home movie (1970-1979?)

Unit ID
7432/7
Item title
Home movie
Date
1970-1979?
Scope and content

Home movie footage showing a wedding, a lighthouse and lookout (possibly Byron Bay), holiday resorts, swimming, tennis, fishing and back yard scenes including mowing the lawn.

Description
1 film reel (super 8 acetate, black and white)
Approx. 380 feet

Home movie (1960-1969?)

Unit ID
7432/8
Item title
Home movie
Date
1960-1969?
Scope and content

Home movie footage showing car racing at an unidentified track, coastal views and family members.

Description
1 film reel (8 mm acetate, black and white)
Approx. 60 feet

Home movie (1940-1949?)

Unit ID
7432/9
Item title
Home movie
Date
1940-1949?
Scope and content

Home movie footage showing beach scenes, trams, a military parade, a large procession and bushwalking in a national park.

Author / Creator
Brown, J. K.
Description
1 film reel (9.5 mm acetate, black and white)
Approx. 100 feet

Home movie (1940-1949?)

Unit ID
7432/10
Item title
Home movie
Date
1940-1949?
Scope and content

Home movie footage showing family members, street views, a suburban house and yard, beach trips and picnics, caravanning and a koala on a dog. The footage also includes loading a bulldozer and a large boiler onto separate trucks. One truck has Paxton Farm painted on the side.

Author / Creator
Brown, J. K.
Description
1 film reel (9.5 mm acetate, black and white)
Approx. 400 feet

Pensioners Trip NQ home movie (1980-1989?)

Unit ID
7432/11
Item title
Pensioners Trip NQ home movie
Date
1980-1989?
Scope and content

Home movie footage showing pensioner bus trips in North Queensland.

Description
1 film reel (super 8 acetate, black and white)
Approx. 300 feet

Home movie (1950-1949?)

Unit ID
7432/12
Item title
Home movie
Date
1950-1949?
Scope and content

Home movie footage relating to boating. From canister: "Boat Films, Brisbane and Hobart 1951, filmed on M.L. "Winkle", "Nowra", "Bronzewings"."

Description
1 film reel (16 mm acetate, black and white)
Approx. 400 feet

Home movie (1950-1959?)

Unit ID
7432/13
Item title
Home movie
Date
1950-1959?
Scope and content

Home movie footage showing boating, beach scenes and beached whales. Footage most likely taken interstate.

Description
1 film reel (16 mm acetate, black and white)
Approx. 400 feet

U.S.A. trip home movie (1980-1989?)

Unit ID
7432/14
Item title
U.S.A. trip home movie
Date
1980-1989?
Scope and content

Home movie footage of a trip to U.S.A.

Description
1 film reel (super 8, black and white)
Approx. 300 feet

Trip Round Australia home movie 1 (1985)

Unit ID
7432/15
Item title
Trip Round Australia home movie 1
Date
1985
Scope and content

Home movie footage of a trip around Australia. Part one showing Brisbane to South Australia.

Description
1 film reel (super 8 acetate, black and white)
Approx. 400 feet

Trip Round Australia home movie 2 (1985)

Unit ID
7432/16
Item title
Trip Round Australia home movie 2
Date
1985
Scope and content

Home movie footage of a trip around Australia. Part two showing South Australia to Broome.

Description
1 film reel (super 8 acetate, black and white)
Approx. 400 feet

Trip Round Australia home movie 3 (1985)

Unit ID
7432/17
Item title
Trip Round Australia home movie 3
Date
1985
Scope and content

Home movie footage of a trip around Australia. Part three showing Broome to Brisbane. Includes travel by boat along the Queensland coast.

Description
1 film reel (super 8 acetate, black and white)
Approx. 400 feet

Round the World home movie (1986)

Unit ID
7432/18
Item title
Round the World home movie
Date
1986
Scope and content

Home movie footage of a round the world holiday.

Description
1 film reel (super 8 acetate, black and white)
Approx. 300 feet
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(2 digital)

Series 2: Audio reel (1950-1959?)

Series number
2
Series title
Audio reel
Date
1950-1959?
Scope and content

Audio reel relating to the Brown family.

Description
1 audio reel
Locate
OMFILM5CR
Access restrictions
Restricted access.
Copyright status
In copyright
Conditions of use
You are free to use for personal research and study. For other uses see https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/understanding-copyright

Items in this series:

Audio reel

Unit ID
7432/19
Item title
Audio reel
Scope and content

Audio reel relating to the Brown family.

Description
1 audiotape
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