Wandjina! facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wandjina! |
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Ad from The Age 30 May 1966
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| Created by | G K Saunders |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| No. of episodes | 7 |
| Production | |
| Cinematography | John Seale |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC Television |
| Picture format | black-and-white |
| Original release | 1966 |
Wandjina! was an exciting Australian TV show made for kids. It was a science fantasy series, meaning it mixed science fiction with magical or mythical elements. ABC Television created it, and it first aired in 1966. The story was inspired by ancient Aboriginal stories called the Dreamtime. These stories come from the Kimberley region in north-West Australia. The show followed three teenagers on an adventure. Their journey was connected to special Aboriginal cave paintings of the Wandjina. The Wandjina are described as "people from the sky" who visited Earth a very long time ago, during the Dreamtime. This show was also special because it was the first drama from ABC in Sydney to use both film and videotape.
Contents
What is Wandjina! About?
Mysterious Outback Adventures
The story begins with a group of scientists. They travel deep into the Australian outback. They are there to investigate some very strange things happening. One of the scientists is Miss Smith, who is also an intelligence agent.
Discovering Ancient Secrets
Donald MacPherson, a scientist who studies human cultures (called an anthropologist), makes an amazing discovery. He finds ancient Aboriginal cave paintings. These paintings show mysterious beings. These beings are called the 'Wandjina'. The show suggests they are an alien race. They visited the ancient Aboriginal people long ago.
Strange Events Unfold
Soon, disturbing events start to happen. It seems that the Wandjina are not just myths. They might still be around! Ann MacPherson, Donald's daughter, and Linda, an Aboriginal girl, decide to explore. They go into the Wandjina caves near Booala Station. Inside, they find a cave full of skeletons.
The Wandjina Appear
The girls see many strange things. In one scene, a mysterious figure appears. It wears a hood and hunts kangaroos. It uses a special rod that silently knocks them down from a distance. The Wandjina look like monks in hoods. They also seem to wear backpacks. These backpacks look like life-support systems, similar to what astronauts use. Their main power source is a tall tower. It looks like a lighthouse and stands above the farmland.
The Wandjina Skull
In one episode, a powerful storm hits. This happens when a strange, long skull is dug up from the sand. This skull is called the Wandjina Skull. It seems to have special powers.
Who Was in the Show?
- John Gregg
- Bob Haddow
- Anne Haddy as Miss Smith, an intelligence agent
- Brian James
- Mark McManus as Donald MacPherson, an anthropologist
- Kit Taylor
- Lou Vernon
- Julianna Allan as Linda
- Jacki Weaver as Ann MacPherson
- Candy Williams as Charlie
- David Yorston
