About the NFSA Owls

The NFSA OWLS - Old Wise Lovely Seniors - began flying from November 2021, and are former staff and associates of the National Film & Sound Archive, Headquarters located in Canberra, Australia.

We continue to research, write, speak about, publish and post on our website, matters relating to Australia's cultural heritage in film, sound, radio and television.

We also promote the Archive's own history.

The Owls liaise with the NFSA and present joint events such as archival talks, community lectures and screenings. We also undertake independent Outreach presentations for special interest groups; as well as delivering conference papers and attending academic seminars.

The Owls welcome all former staff and associates of the NFSA to join in our activities.

Contact

The NFSA Owls committee was formed from a perceived need to capture in story and audiovisual form, the historic and anecdotal memories of previous NFSA members. The Archive first opened its doors in 1930 as the Institute of Anatomy. In the early 1980s, the building was remodelled to house audiovisual works from the National Library as the new National Film and Sound Archive, in 1984.
It is from this period to now that this site draws upon the memories and experiences of previous archivists.

Ron was the Director of the National Film and Sound Archive for over ten years.
In a varied career he has worked in various Government roles including Commonwealth Deputy Ombudsman and Ombudsman, Aircraft Noise Ombudsman and Chair of the Australian Research Integrity Committee. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra.

Ron Brent

Dr Jeff Brownrigg

Jeff worked with the NFSA for almost 20 years, including as Head of Sound and Radio Collections. For several years he also taught Advanced Musicology at ANU and Cultural Heritage Studies at the University of Canberra. Since his retirement Jeff has continued to investigate Australia’s sound, moving image and written histories.
His publications include A New Melba, Anzac Cove to Hollywood, and An Elegy for Mrs P: Encounters on the Hippie Trail 1971, as well as numerous book chapters, articles and essays. He has given numerous presentations on Australia’s cultural history. Jeff is presently a research fellow at the Australian Studies Institute, ANU.

Marilyn Sue Dooley

Marilyn was with the NFSA from its opening in 1984 till retirement in 2007. Marilyn was the Archive’s first Education, Exhibition & Public Activities Officer, First Manager of Public Programs and later operated one of the NFSA Research and Academic Outreach Programs. She has researched, talked and written extensively about Australia’s Silent Cinema. Along with technical staff of the NFSA, Marilyn produced the video series Australia’s Silent Cinema, which won the 2003 group award from the Centre for Australian Cultural Studies for a significant contribution to Australia’s Cultural Heritage. Marilyn has an Australia Day Public Service medallion for her services to the NFSA.

Danny O’Neill

Danny joined the NFSA as a Technical Officer in the Motion Picture Lab, Preservation Branch in 1996 after two decades as a military photographer. Working to preserve the film and sound Collection by copying onto new film stock was a privilege. His last role before leaving was as Quality Checking officer. Now semi-retired, he joined a local family history group, supporting them in various volunteer roles, the longest being the Education and Events officer, and also runs a small business doing book design and layout for family historians. He was invited to join the committee, and works on this website.