AGY-3420 | New South Wales Film Council [II]

Full description

The New South Wales Film Council was established, in accordance section two of the New South Wales Film Council Act 1974, which took effect from 1 July 1974. (1) The new agency replaced the non-statutory New South Wales Film Council which had operated within the Ministry for Cultural Activities since 1971. (2) The new Council consisted of 12 members appointed by the Governor to hold office for periods of two or four years. The members appointed for four year terms represented broad interests and were nominated by the following:
Minister of Cultural Activities;
Minister for Education;
Minister for Tourism;
Chief Secretary;
Minister for Health; and
Minister Agriculture. Six members were nominated by the Minister because of their association with the production, use or distribution of film. (3) The functions of the Council were: (a) to maintain a library of non-theatrical films;
(b) to facilitate the distribution of non-theatrical films;
(c) to facilitate and coordinate the production of films by public authorities;
(d) to improve the methods by which non-theatrical films are put to use;
(e) to act on behalf of users of non-theatrical films in New South Wales in matters dealt with by Commonwealth authorities and institutions; and
(f) to acquire films of historical interest, particularly those connected with the history of New South Wales
(4) The Council loaned films for non-commercial purposes to any group of citizens that was registered with the Council by payment of an annual registration fee. The registration fees entitled the group to borrow a certain number of films during the year, depending on the fee paid. (5) The Council’s Library contained more than 11,000 films covering a wide range of documentary and educational material. General interest films predominated but a proportion of films suitable for screening in schools was gradually acquired, in addition to films designed for business and industrial training programs. (6) The Film Council's library included films in the following broad subject areas: agriculture; communications; cooking; business and industry; community services; domestic and industrial security; education; history; metrication; newsreels; science and technology; travel; health; libraries; sports and physical training; war history; public and international affairs (7) The New South Wales Film Council was abolished by the New South Wales Film Council (Dissolution) Act 1977 on 1 January 1978. (8) All functions of the Council together with its real and personal property, management and control were taken over by the Library Council (State Library of New South Wales) . (9) FOOTNOTES:
(1) New South Wales Film Council Act 1974, The Statutes of NSW, 1974, Act No. 42
(2) NSW Government Gazette, No. 72, 1974, p. 2179
(3) New South Wales Film Council Act 1974, The Statutes of NSW, 1974, Act No. 42
(4) Report of the NSW Film Council 1974/75, Annual Reports 1975/76, vol. 1, p. 1070
(5) Ibid.
(6) Ibid. p. 1071
(7) Ibid.
(8) NSW Government Gazette, No. 162, 1977, p. 5769
(9) New South Wales Film Council (Dissolution) Act 1977, The Statutes of NSW, 1977, Act No. 162