Absolute gold, or at least 'burnt sienna'. Watching that clip I could once again savour the sulphorous, acidic odours of the suburbs encircling the 'Gong's industrial heartland, relive the sharp-edged dust that clogged eyes and nose and throat, and pay tribute to the boundless vision of the Hoskins brothers in dispossessing Lithgow of its nascent steelworks and transforming the Illawarra from a bland area of blue skies, clean air in a narrow ribbon of land bounded by a unique juxtaposition of endless beaches and mountain range. And the wealth it brought. If only I had saved all the three shillings and fourpences I was so generously granted as a 'shift allowance'. Onya Sid and Cecil, you played a blinder.
Saw the Gang perform with the Wollongong Symphonic Orchestra in Melbourne back in the 70's... this number had the both cast and the audience in tears of laughter as the 'orchestra' staggered off the stage exhausted from the incredible standing ovation that seemed to go on for ever! Haven't seen anything to match it since!
How delightful to see this after forty-plus years. I don't remember this on the show, but I do know the song well from the record which we got in 1974. It's really good to see the lyrics too. As a kid I could not work out the 'burnt sienna' bit. And check Spider Farrelly's dance moves! I love you SapphireBetta.
What creative minds.. comedy that transcends... and with Kev Kavanagh a fashion thought-leader that ultimately gave rise to Lady Ga Ga's meat dress.... Woolongong led the world
Re: transcending comedy - I was sent this, I feel like there's context missing or something. Because ngl I have no idea what I just watched. Couldn't crack a smile or anything, I thought it'd be pretty easy to impress me with a ballad about my hometown.
Aunty Jack's Wollongong the Brave is a collection of four comedy specials derived from the Australian television series, The Aunty Jack Show. The fourth and final episode was the precursor to The Norman Gunston Show. The episodes were filmed in 1974 and were aired during 1975.[1] The mini-series was released to DVD by the ABC in March 2007.[2] Episodes[edit] 1. "Norman Gunston - The Golden Weeks" Wollongong superstar Norman Gunston is kidnapped near the Bulli Pass while conducting a coach tour of South Coast drive-ins. After Norman's mysterious disappearance, a TV station recalls his life and times, and his mother, childhood sweetheart and others closest to him pay tribute, in a documentary about Gunston's rise to fame in "the biggest southern hemisphere in the world". (First screened: 21 March 1975)[1] 2. "Kev Kavanagh - Beyond the Infinite" Kev Kavanagh, meat artist, Butcher laureate, international meat fashion designer and meaty author, turns filmmaker in Australia's most adventurous film epic The History of Man. Kev traces the history of Man from primitive wanderer to cosmic explorer, and discovers that behind every great man in history was a butcher. Kev searches the world for the "essence of truth and butchery" which has been handed down through time by the great butchers. Kev Kavanagh then returns to his suburban home after years away as Australia's most creative talent, and finds things are not what they seem to be. (First screened: 23 May 1975)[1] 3. "Aunty Jack 'n' The Gong in Bloody Concert" This show, set in a comic book, was filmed during the 1974 national tour. "Kid Eager wonders about the powers of Aunty Jack and plots to steal the Golden Glove." Included the songs "Rip Off", "Head of the Pack", "Heavyweight Boxer", "Queen of the Gong", "Aunty Jack 'N' the Gong" and "Farewell Aunty Jack". (First screened: 1 December 1975)[1] 4. "The Farrelly Brothers - Three Men, a Sheep and Their Music" The Farrelly Brothers (Ernest, Ernie and Enzo), having captured the hearts of the world with their unique blend of music and their hit song "Set Another One Up to the Bar", the trio goes back to where it all began-"Dapto International Airport". Also includes Norman Gunston and Aunty Jack. (First screened: 8 December 1975)[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wollongong_the_Brave
My goodness, to think this aired on the ABC and was targeted at kids. Let's see, "offensive" to women, fat women, transgenders, immigrants (the Italian accent bit) and Wollongong in general. Also insensitive to traditional indigenous custodians. Sigh will we ever make our way back to the easy going carefree society that gave birth to a gem like this?
It wasn't really targeted at kids, although they picked it up (as I did!). Wollongong Mayor Frank Arkell actually DID object most strenuously. (An alleged paedophile, he was murdered in 1998, but in the good old easy going carefree days we didn't talk about such things.) I also recall a scene where one character lights his cigarette on the 'eternal flame' at Wollongong RSL - imagine the outrage that would cause today, not from 'the PC brigade' but from Murdoch-reading mouth-breathers objecting to 'taxpayer-funded ABC elitists spitting on the memory of our glorious dead.' There's more than one type of PC. 'Political incorrectness' doesn't seem to have stopped the ABC releasing it on DVD - I got it from the ABC Shop online.
I doubt it would see light on these days' leftier-than-thou national broadcaster, but believe the internet does offer hope. Thank goodness dumpster-fire-of-left-wing-censorship RUclips hasn't noticed the "infractions" you outline here. I think it goes right over the heads of the Thought Control DIvision in Silicon Valley, California. While the love that Wollongongers have for it here brings a tear to my eye, the same as it did to Garry McDonald years ago.
Ahhhh, the days before lame-o Reality TV shows. Please make it all come back again!
I don't know the words to "Advance Australia Fair" but I know ALL the words to this anthem
Absolute gold, or at least 'burnt sienna'. Watching that clip I could once again savour the sulphorous, acidic odours of the suburbs encircling the 'Gong's industrial heartland, relive the sharp-edged dust that clogged eyes and nose and throat, and pay tribute to the boundless vision of the Hoskins brothers in dispossessing Lithgow of its nascent steelworks and transforming the Illawarra from a bland area of blue skies, clean air in a narrow ribbon of land bounded by a unique juxtaposition of endless beaches and mountain range. And the wealth it brought. If only I had saved all the three shillings and fourpences I was so generously granted as a 'shift allowance'. Onya Sid and Cecil, you played a blinder.
Wollongong gets the last laugh as it's the most livable place in Australia. Where the mountains meet the sea.
They were golden years
As kids we always made a game of holding our collective noses as we passed the steelworks! Probably 5 or 6 unrestrained kids in the back seat. LOL
Yes, it is absolute gold. Pure creative genius! Interesting, how we tend to yearn, for those simpler times but it is true, I had so much fun.
We don't have class, but we have the Bulli Pass...gold!
Kev Kavanagh Amen to that 👍🏻👅👍
and Mt. Ous-a-ley!
'allo trendsetters
Brilliant! I love this show so much
Saw the Gang perform with the Wollongong Symphonic Orchestra in Melbourne back in the 70's... this number had the both cast and the audience in tears of laughter as the 'orchestra' staggered off the stage exhausted from the incredible standing ovation that seemed to go on for ever! Haven't seen anything to match it since!
the '70s *
Love this so much that I’ve bought an Aunty Jack DVD. Sadly could only find the first season.
Reminds me of batting at Dalton Park when the wind changed and the southerly buster blew from the coal loader...
...still brings a tear to my eye 🤣
I have this on the Aunty Jack Sings Wolongong album but hadnt heard this version of it. Wonderful.
magic
The late Rory O'Donohue has a Wollongong song on SoundCloud. It's very nice about dear Wollongong.
Bloody brilliant!
How delightful to see this after forty-plus years. I don't remember this on the show, but I do know the song well from the record which we got in 1974. It's really good to see the lyrics too. As a kid I could not work out the 'burnt sienna' bit. And check Spider Farrelly's dance moves! I love you SapphireBetta.
I always thought it was "see a birdsy in the sky" when I was a kid
1:20 the old ERS stack, I was there when it came down, bit sad really as was one of the most prominent landmarks in the Illawarra
rip Rory O'Donoghue ..
v_v Didn't know. RIP.
What creative minds.. comedy that transcends... and with Kev Kavanagh a fashion thought-leader that ultimately gave rise to Lady Ga Ga's meat dress.... Woolongong led the world
Re: transcending comedy - I was sent this, I feel like there's context missing or something. Because ngl I have no idea what I just watched. Couldn't crack a smile or anything, I thought it'd be pretty easy to impress me with a ballad about my hometown.
I still remembered all the lyrics...classic!!
I've never forgotten the lyrics and quote them often.
Girt by sea (on one side) ha!
Downloaded this a decade ago. Sorry, I forgot to leave a like... fixed. Long live the Gong, luv from the Iron Triangle!
Brilliant - love it. Had forgotten it but I don't live anywhere near the Gong.
Thanks Alexander.
Aunty Jack's Wollongong the Brave is a collection of four comedy specials derived from the Australian television series, The Aunty Jack Show. The fourth and final episode was the precursor to The Norman Gunston Show. The episodes were filmed in 1974 and were aired during 1975.[1] The mini-series was released to DVD by the ABC in March 2007.[2]
Episodes[edit]
1. "Norman Gunston - The Golden Weeks"
Wollongong superstar Norman Gunston is kidnapped near the Bulli Pass while conducting a coach tour of South Coast drive-ins. After Norman's mysterious disappearance, a TV station recalls his life and times, and his mother, childhood sweetheart and others closest to him pay tribute, in a documentary about Gunston's rise to fame in "the biggest southern hemisphere in the world". (First screened: 21 March 1975)[1]
2. "Kev Kavanagh - Beyond the Infinite"
Kev Kavanagh, meat artist, Butcher laureate, international meat fashion designer and meaty author, turns filmmaker in Australia's most adventurous film epic The History of Man. Kev traces the history of Man from primitive wanderer to cosmic explorer, and discovers that behind every great man in history was a butcher. Kev searches the world for the "essence of truth and butchery" which has been handed down through time by the great butchers. Kev Kavanagh then returns to his suburban home after years away as Australia's most creative talent, and finds things are not what they seem to be. (First screened: 23 May 1975)[1]
3. "Aunty Jack 'n' The Gong in Bloody Concert"
This show, set in a comic book, was filmed during the 1974 national tour. "Kid Eager wonders about the powers of Aunty Jack and plots to steal the Golden Glove." Included the songs "Rip Off", "Head of the Pack", "Heavyweight Boxer", "Queen of the Gong", "Aunty Jack 'N' the Gong" and "Farewell Aunty Jack". (First screened: 1 December 1975)[1]
4. "The Farrelly Brothers - Three Men, a Sheep and Their Music"
The Farrelly Brothers (Ernest, Ernie and Enzo), having captured the hearts of the world with their unique blend of music and their hit song "Set Another One Up to the Bar", the trio goes back to where it all began-"Dapto International Airport". Also includes Norman Gunston and Aunty Jack. (First screened: 8 December 1975)[1]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wollongong_the_Brave
Awesome
I miss the days when it was possible to read the credits, these days they go by so fast it's impossible to read them.
Stirring stuff.
Wollongong’s bard
They really don't write them like this any more. :-D
It's a shame, cause this is awesome
That was awesome.
Do they have statues of these great Australians in Wollongong?
This is sooo funny. Being a former resident of not so far away Nowra it was so easy to identify with, Oh when the ABC didn't have an agenda.
Vale Rory.
Hear hear. What a talent, and what a waste.
@@Toranaboy634 so loved and admired - this is how tragic mental illness is, that he felt the world was better off without him.
👍💯🤣
My goodness, to think this aired on the ABC and was targeted at kids. Let's see, "offensive" to women, fat women, transgenders, immigrants (the Italian accent bit) and Wollongong in general. Also insensitive to traditional indigenous custodians.
Sigh will we ever make our way back to the easy going carefree society that gave birth to a gem like this?
Society's standards were certainly lower back then.
Can't imagine gems like this airing with the internet in full swing.
It wasn't really targeted at kids, although they picked it up (as I did!).
Wollongong Mayor Frank Arkell actually DID object most strenuously. (An alleged paedophile, he was murdered in 1998, but in the good old easy going carefree days we didn't talk about such things.) I also recall a scene where one character lights his cigarette on the 'eternal flame' at Wollongong RSL - imagine the outrage that would cause today, not from 'the PC brigade' but from Murdoch-reading mouth-breathers objecting to 'taxpayer-funded ABC elitists spitting on the memory of our glorious dead.' There's more than one type of PC.
'Political incorrectness' doesn't seem to have stopped the ABC releasing it on DVD - I got it from the ABC Shop online.
I doubt it would see light on these days' leftier-than-thou national broadcaster, but believe the internet does offer hope. Thank goodness dumpster-fire-of-left-wing-censorship RUclips hasn't noticed the "infractions" you outline here. I think it goes right over the heads of the Thought Control DIvision in Silicon Valley, California. While the love that Wollongongers have for it here brings a tear to my eye, the same as it did to Garry McDonald years ago.
@@videowilliams ABC released it on DVD
@@glennwallace9203 Well then, I gladly stand corrected!
Awesome