On 24 March, our Club will hold its 44th Annual General Meeting and induct our new President, Dr Noel Sowter.

After that, we turn the clock back 60 years by presenting the 1966 documentary film Launceston: Life in Australia, produced by Eric Thompson for the Commonwealth Film Unit. John Edwards and Peter Young directed it as part of a series designed to showcase Australian cities to prospective European immigrants.

Highlights of the film include rare footage of textile mills (Patons & Baldwins, Kelsall & Kemp, and Waverley Mills), plus Tas Board Mills, Launceston Railway Workshop, Showgrounds, Launceston Technical College, Repco Bearing Company, Brooks High School, Launceston High, restaurants, shops, and Launceston nightlife.

Nearly all the buildings shown in the film have survived, but many factories, businesses, social events, and lifestyles have changed dramatically in such a short time.