It’s Time for 10 True Blue Sounds of Australia

National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA)
  • NFSA includes John Williamson AO, Silverchair and The Master’s Apprentices in its list of recorded sounds that have helped shape Australian culture and history.
  • Also inducted are the 1972 Gough Whitlam election campaign jingle, radio classic Martin/Molloy, the 1956 Melbourne Olympics record, and didgeridoo songs from Arnhem Land.
From Indigenous music through to Gough Whitlam’s campaign song and a True Blue classic, the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) has announced this year’s new additions to the Sounds of Australia registry.
Each year the NFSA recognises ten sound recordings for their defining impact on Australian culture and history by including them in the Sounds of Australia registry. The newest Sounds of Australia for 2020 are, in chronological order:
  • Starlight by Hamilton Hill – 1907
  • Etude de concert in F minor and Etude de concert in A flat major by Eileen Joyce – 1933
  • Olympic Games, Melbourne 1956: Official souvenir recording of Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony – 1956
  • Nausicaa: Opera in Three Acts by Peggy Glanville-Hicks – 1961
  • Arnhem Land Popular Classics: Aboriginal Dance Songs with Didjeridu Accompaniment by David Blanasi, Djoli Laiwanga and others – 1963
  • Because I Love You by The Master’s Apprentices - 1971
  • It’s Time by Alison MacCallum – 1972
  • True Blue by John Williamson – 1986  
  • Tomorrow by Silverchair - 1994
  • Martin/Molloy by Tony Martin and Mick Molloy – 1995-1998
True Blue is an Australian folk country song written and performed by singer-songwriter John Williamson AO. The lyrics draw heavily on Australian slang, with the title even meaning authentically Australian. A brand-new lyric video has been released by Mr. Williamson, featuring photos submitted by his fans in response of what ‘True Blue’ means to them.
Mr. Williamson said: “I am uplifted by the news that True Blue has been inducted into the Sounds of Australia. I’m celebrating 50 years of touring and recording in 2020, so while it’s been disappointing having to postpone my anniversary plans due to COVID, I am honoured and thankful for this recognition from the NFSA.”
Martin/Molloy, a radio program hosted by comedians Tony Martin and Mick Molloy, inspired an entire generation of drivetime radio comedy-talk shows; the format remains the backbone of the major commercial FM networks in Australia to this day.
Mr. Martin said: “Not only have the NFSA finally completed the mammoth task of digitising the Martin/Molloy archives, now they’ve gone and inducted us into their Sounds of Australia. As fans of our show would recall, some of those sounds were rather rude, but as a massive radio nerd – and a New Zealander – this is a huge honour.”
/Public Release.