I am not particularly fond of YouTube. From it’s humble beginning to it’s inevitable enshittification, It maintains a market monopoly of 98% for video sharing services1. Perhaps one good thing that has come out from it though is that it provides a method of distribution for old documentaries and TV series, that would otherwise would never be remastered onto more contemporary media.
It is therefore an absolute joy to discover many TV series that I used to sit and watch as a child with my grandparents now available to watch on Youtube
Bush Tucker Man
The Bush Tucker Man was perhaps one of the greatest Documentary TV series produced by the Australian Broadcasting Commission of it’s time, with Australian Army Major Les Hiddins travels around northern Australia, describing native foods and survival methods. Two series of Bush Tucker man were produced, with a third series known as “Bush Tucker Man – Stories of Survival” produced a few years later
ABC Australia does not allow embedding of Youtube videos, so please follow the link below to the complete playlist:
Malcolm Douglas
Before Les Hiddins and the Bush Tucker Man, you had prolific documentary maker Malcolm Douglas. Based at his crocodile park in Broome, Malcolm went on to produce over 40 documentaries about life and adventures in Northern Australia.
For me, the introductory music has to be one of the most unique and memorable things about all his series, and is instantly recognisable when heard.
It is very pleasing to find the complete playlist of Malcolm Douglas Adventures being available on Youtube.
Chris Conroy’s Leisure World
Less of a documentary, but one of the early forms forms of lifestyle shows, Chris Conroy’s World of Boats, and later Chris Conroy’s Leisure World was recently remembered to me on Reddit as part of an unrelated search where the Fanfare for the Common Man was mentioned.
Admittedly, not much of the show exists on youtube, but a number of short forum segments can be found on the official channel at:
Alby Mangels
It’s hard not to talk about Australian adventure television and not mention Alby Mangels. Alby Mangels was a household name 1980s, gaining great success with his 3 “World Safari” documentaries, along with many Adventure Bound Series.
Controversial by modern standard, Alby was also known for the often bikini-clad women accompanying him on his adventures.
There is very little in terms of Alby Mangels documentary video on Youtube, as it is still actively markets by Alby on his own website, however I have included a playlist from an interview in 2018 by The Thread.
More?
If you look in the right places, I am sure there are more Australian TV series that have been legitimately published on Youtube. If/when I find more, you may just see another post!