THE glamour and excitement of Australian press photography are honoured annually in the Walkley Awards and have been the subject of many exhibitions, but now the National Archives turns the focus on Australia’s forgotten government photographers. 

Meticulously recording and capturing the lives of ordinary Australians between 1939 and 1996, the archive explains, dozens of photographers were employed by government agencies to capture Australia’s culture, landscapes and animals.

This time the spotlight is turned back on them, offering a close-up of the lives and work of the behind-the-scenes snappers who documented the visual heritage of and a virtual darkroom so visitors can watch pictures develop.

The Archives have a collection of almost 11 million images to draw on, and curator of “Focus”, Emily Catt, says: “From Tim Acker’s incredible aerial views of landscapes across the country to Harry Frauca’s intimate shots of iconic Australian animals, the breadth of subject matter is astounding.”

Some are celebratory images, such as Eric Wadsworth’s pictures of revellers enjoying the rides at the Moomba Festival in 1986 or Norman Plant’s photograph of dancers performing at the 1987 Canberra Festival, but others are more ordinary and relaxed, such as John Houldsworth’s shot of an unnamed Canberran taking a lunchtime nap in the Parliamentary Triangle in 1981.

An unusual, intimate image by Bill Pedersen shows prayer time at “a” Yarralumla mosque in 1966.

There are also impressive artistic shots, such as Jim Fitzpatrick’s “Seeking relief from the heat at the North Sydney Olympic Pool”, 1956. But is his subject really the bathers in the foreground or rather the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge at the rear?

Archives director-general Simon Froude notes that it is easy to associate government photography with political shots, but believes the exhibition goes far beyond what might be expected, to reveal artistry and talent that transcends their “bureaucratic origins”, giving them the recognition they deserve.

National Archives, Parkes, “Focus: Australian Government Photographers” is open until July 10. Free guided tours 11am-11.30am every Sunday from December.