Australia Day at the NFSA 2016

By Jemma Mrdak.

Let me guess, you still haven’t got your Aussie Day plans sorted, you’re keen to celebrate in Canberra, but want to avoid wrestling the crowds at Commonwealth Park (we get it, nobody likes crowds… except lions, the Kardashians and Mr Whippy).

The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA), aka the nation’s living library that collects, preserves and shares Australia’s rich audiovisual history, is holding Australia Day at the NFSA. Pretty much the day will be full of Aussie movies, TV classics, Triple J tunes and sausage sizzles. By the sounds of it, it’s the Australia Day party you’ve been looking for.

Home to the national audiovisual collection of more than 2.16 million works of films, television and radio programs, videos, audio tapes, records and artefacts, and considering it is one of Australia’s icons, it makes sense that one would spend Jan 26 at the NFSA, right? Kind of? Just a little? Ok, it’s a left of centre option, but it’s got all the ingredients to make a cranking Australia Day, so stop being so close-minded and live a little.

Start off your Aussie Day celebration at the NFSA with a good ol sausage sizzle, whilst listening to the Triple J Hottest 100 Countdown in the courtyard. We recommend you stay for the day to experience true blue screenings of the Aussie classics – Crocodile Dundee, They’re A Weird Mob, Starstruck and potentially the funniest movie ever made, The Castle.

If all of these flicks sound too good to miss, then a discounted day pass where you can catch all four films is available for just $20. If you’re more interested in watching a show about a kangaroo, then episodes of Skippy will be screening from 12 – 5pm.

If you’re a lover of exhibitions and want to get your dose of Aussie history, then make sure you don’t miss the Australia Day only mini-exhibition, featuring original costumes and other items.

So, to skip the heat and the patriotic crowds this Australia Day, head to the NFSA to get your dose of Aussie history.

Australia Day at the NFSA January 26, 12pm