`AUSTRALIAN TV & FILMS: Television

More than 50,000 years in the making, comes the extraordinary story about the people, places and events that have shaped our country from the first inhabitants to the present day. PG CC

Tonight we journey through 1837-1854 where Australia begins to break free from its shackles and become a land of opportunity. Gold miners fight for their rights against a deadly army. PG (V,A,L) CC Rpt

As we journey through 1862-1890, gold brings new wealth to Australian colonies, Bush Ranger Frank Gardener attempts Australia's biggest heist, AFL is born and the long gold boom comes crashing down. PG (V) CC

In the years 1915-1918, our nation throws itself into a global conflict that will decide Australia's fate and leave a historic mark. In WW1, Australian nurses help transform emergency medicine. PG (V) CC

As we journey through 1928-1942, Australia emerges from the First World War. The Sydney Harbour Bridge nears completion and the war with Japan tests Australians on the Kokoda Track. PG (V)

After the Second World War, peace brings prosperity to Australia. Suburban and technology dreams become a reality. The Sydney Opera House emerges, we host the Olympics and television is born. PG (A) CC

In the years 1956-1974, a generation is free from economic depression. Riots sweep the suburbs and beaches. Evonne Goolagong changes Australian tennis and Cyclone Tracey devastates Darwin. PG CC

As we journey through 1975-2015, Elaine Moir helps save babies from the Vietnam War. Paul Hogan becomes our best export and the Sydney Olympic Games creates moments of national pride. PG (V) CC

The first of a four-part "people's history" of Australia explores how parenting and childhood have changed over the past 60 years. Are today's kids growing up too quickly?

This episode looks at the national obsession of owning your own home. The 'great Australian dream began immediately after the war and continues to this day.
But the dream which started modestly has blown out with the population explosion and suburban sprawl. Today, the average size of the Australian home is twice the size of the post-war model and where once it was possible to buy a house for three times your annual salary, now it costs nine times.

Of all the great shifts in Australian life since World War II, perhaps religion has travelled farthest. Back in the 1940s and 50s Australians dutifully attended church and Sunday school. Christianity had a firm grip on the Australian soul. But from the late sixties, bad boys and girls were finding spiritual fulfilment elsewhere and the Churches struggled to keep up.