The Brotherhood of St Laurence has been producing films and videos as a way of highlighting issues or celebrating success for many years, commencing in 1946.  Some of our films and videos are available on YouTube

1946-1948 

Three significant films were made for the Brotherhood in this period: Beautiful Melbourne (1947) ; Goal does not cure; and These are our Children (1948).  All silent films that in total run for just over an hour, the films were presented in public gatherings and accompanied by a presenter providing detailed statistics and anecdotes.  They were unique for their time, conveying some of the social realist documentation of both inner city slums and the hardships endured by families living in Melbourne during the early post war years.

Beautiful Melbourne, commissioned by the Brotherhood, produced by Ken Coldicutt and the Realist Film Unit (1947) dramatically documents and informs the viewer about the appalling conditions of inner city slums. 

• Teacher's notes can be accessed here and here.

Gaol does not Cure  - the case for the chronic alcoholic was filmed in Fitzroy and shows the effects of chronic alcoholism, consumption of methylated spirits (as a cheap alternative to alcohol) and posses a revolutionary view for the time that rather then send alcoholics to jail, that they suffer a sickness and should be treated as such.  Produced by Jack Fitzsimmons with Irene Mitchell and the Melbourne Film Society (1946).

These Are Our Children (produced by Ken Coldicutt) tells the story of a young boy and girl who have little to do with their time which leads them to petty crime and eventually to the Children's Court.

Film makers: (WIP)

John (Jack) Jeremiah/Gerald FITZSIMONS

Birth: 15 October 1904

Death: 6 December 1980

See Fords of Katandra family.

Quote:  He was an inventor and tinkerer. He made films for the Brotherhood of Saint Laurence, as part of the Realist Film Unit. I believe this was to introduce public housing or at least better housing conditions for people. His name is given as Jack FitzSimons.

Background paper on Beautiful Melbourne and These are our Children. (Date of this document is unknown)^[1]

1950 

The film A Place to Live was produced by the Realist Film Unit, incorporating some footage from Beautiful Melbourne and These are our Children  ^[2]

1966

Two new films advertising the Brotherhood’s Christmas clothing appeal were shown on GTV-9 during December.  The brief 30-second announcements featured the Carrum Downs settlement and the Carinya home for the frail aged.

1977

Film on the Brotherhood of St Laurence produced by Julie Millowick and James McArdle

1984

Video Unemployment isn’t working produced by the Employ Media Group and the BSL

1985

A twenty-minute documentary film The Brotherhood of St Laurence, made by Erwin Rado, with Keith & Alison Head and Dyranda Prevost, was launched in July by Phillip Adams  ^[3]See the item "Brotherhood Film" at BSL_Documentary_Film_1985.pdf

Video Poverty in Australia produced in conjunction with Victoria College, Toorak Campus, containing an interview with Peter Hollingworth, BSL Executive Director, on poverty in Australia

1987

A video Be it ever so humble … a film about some of Australia’s housing problems, produced as part of the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless and narrated by Bishop Peter Hollingworth

1989

The BSL is referenced in two programs of Film Australia's 6-part video series The unfair go?, examining poverty and welfare in Australia from an international perspective.  The programs were The kindness of strangers (no.4) and Who gives a buck? (no.6)  (Program 4: The kindness of strangers - the role of charities in dealing with poverty and includes information on the work of the BSL.  Program 6 - Who gives a buck? - looks at the inadequacy of social security payments and evaluates the BSL’s Family Centre Project, where a sample of families were maintained on a regular minimum income.)

1994

Series of four humorous community service advertisements for quality clothes & furniture featuring John Clarke & Bryan Dawe were produced by Jo Lane (Vixen Films) for screening on TV and in cinemas, as well as being audiotaped for radio.  These were shown and heard on all major television and radio stations as well as twelve Melbourne cinemas. (October onwards)

1995

Life Chances documentary, made as a cooperative venture between the BSL and the production company Film Projects and featuring seven families was screened by SBS with funding from SBS and the Australian Film Finance Corporation (28 March)

1998

Andrew Denton agreed to do up to five 30-second Commercial Enterprise community service television advertisements with up to 5 celebrities (produced by Bendigo Street productions) - Lillian Frank, Rob Sitch, John Clarke and Ivan Deveson agreed to appear in the home collection commercials & filmed successfully on 30 and 31 May, screened in August 1998.

2002

Education videos Hunter Gatherer: A case study in apparel design & manufacture and No Sweatshop Label at Hunter Gatherer produced for TAFE students based on the BSL’s retail social enterprise  (commercial video - not made by the BSL)

2008

Launch of new Brotherhood film produced by Angela Buckingham  (November)

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