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Classic Australian TV Ads

Tonight leaders of the Australian creative industry gather at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney for the Advertising Federation of Australia’s annual general meeting and celebration of fifty years of television advertising in Australia. There will be a presentation of thirty iconic Australian ads, chosen by representatives of the advertising industry here. There will be an opportunity to bring that list down to the top ten.

AFA 50 Years of TV Advertising

I’ve only been in Australia since 2001 so I haven’t seen a lot of these ads. So you Australians might have to help me out here. What are the classics you remember?

Here’s the top thirty, in no particular order.

Holeproof - Antz Pantz ‘Sic ‘em Rex’

Winfield - Anyhow (Paul Hogan)

World Series Cricket - C’mon Aussie

Holeproof - Computer Socks

D’Decore

Dunlop - Aircraft Carrier

Yellow Pages - Goggomobil

AIDS Grim Reaper Department of Health AIDS awareness - Grim Reaper

Kraft - Happy Little Vegemites

Harper’s Bazaar - Beauty

Harpers Cat Chow

Tooheys - How Do You Feel?

Qantas - I Still Call Australia Home

Lamb Roast - Tom Cruise (with Naomi Watts)

Life. Be In It. (1970s Government PSA featuring Norm)

AMLC - Lifeboat

Mortein - Louie the Fly

OTC - Memories

Mercedes-Benz - Crash

Coamas (Australian milk authorities) Milkman

Yellow Pages Not Happy Jan

Yellow Pages - Not Happy, Jan

Castrol - Oils Ain’t Oils

Tourism Australia - Shrimp On The Barbie (Paul Hogan)

Stainmaster (Sir Les Patterson or Pro Hart?)

Carlton Draught - Big Ad

Holeproof - Underdaks

VB (Victoria Bitter) - Original

Crown Corning - Vision Saucepans

Tourism Australia - So Where the Bloody Hell Are You?

Meadow Lea - You Ought To Be Congratulated

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Posted in Inspiration, TV Ads

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86 Responses to “Classic Australian TV Ads”


David June 6th, 2006 at 10:59 pm

What about the good old Hard Yakka Ads. How good were the songs for that.

astrogirl June 6th, 2006 at 11:48 pm

what about…

- the colgate toothpaste ones, with Mrs Marsh saying “like this liquid gets into chalk”
- Mr Sheen!
- cadbury glass and half adverts
- slip slop slap!
- Up There Cazaly! AFL/VFL adverts

Craig June 9th, 2006 at 4:44 am

What amazes me is that a media-driven organisation such as the AFA publishes such a list without having copies of the actual ads, or even links to them, on their web site! What morons.

Plenty of people have never seen most of the ads, almost none of the ads are on the net, and most of the few that are on the net are in QuickTime format so many people don’t have the plugin to watch them anyhow.

amar June 9th, 2006 at 11:25 pm

Hi

To watch Classic British ads go to: http://www.thinkbox.tv/adgallery

There’s also loads of breaking TV ads: http://www.thinkbox.tv

Alex June 11th, 2006 at 4:54 pm

Anyone know where to get a downloadable copy of the Qantas, ‘I still call Australia home’ add?

Justin June 18th, 2006 at 5:55 pm

Anyone have the Classic Tooheys How do you feel? Sailing ad of the Sydney to Hobart (Ballyhoo vs Apollo) in a downloadable format ? It is on the SMH website as a link only.

Travis August 11th, 2006 at 8:47 pm

Where can you get a download of the Yellow Pages Not Happy Jan ad?

MJB August 30th, 2006 at 10:39 am

Hey… any copies of the Razza Matazz ads of the 70’s or the EARLY Big M ads?

Many thanks..

MJB

Loki September 4th, 2006 at 11:47 pm

Have you got a copy of the Aus Telecom ad with the young boy talking to his grandad asking what a bunyip is?

Im just asking because the lad in it is my mate and would be funny to see it!

Jodie September 26th, 2006 at 4:01 pm

Does anyone remember an ad in Australia where the theme song was whislted. I’m pretty sure it was an ad for a beer (maybe fourex). The ad was about blokes in the army and they all whistled this particualar song as they came out of hiding (they were in the middle of a war) and head down to the pub for a coldie.

Beth September 30th, 2006 at 11:31 pm

help I am in need a the decore ad (duke of earl tune) for a pre primary class school item can you help Pleasee

Jill October 4th, 2006 at 7:52 pm

Personally, I think the classic Aussie ad is the one with ‘bugger’ all the way through it… the builder, the baby and the dog at the end when it gets catapulted down the old ‘thunder box’… any knowledge of where I can get or locate that ad?

Mark October 23rd, 2006 at 11:14 pm

Anybody know where ican download a copy of th Mr Sheen Ad?

Aleisha October 25th, 2006 at 6:48 am

Anyone know where to get a copy of ad or jingle of Holeproofs “old” campaign “one day you’re gonna get caught with your pants down”.

Gail October 25th, 2006 at 3:11 pm

I’m also seeking a copy of the old Mr sheen ad, anyone got any suggestions?

anna October 30th, 2006 at 10:12 pm

hey. does anyone happen to have that old NRMA add which was on in dec last year? it had all these men walking down a catwalk with spanners and hammers and stuff? I realy want it. thanks.

jenny lim November 6th, 2006 at 8:21 pm

anyone can help ? i am lloking for the ” memories ” - OTC campaign urgently.
please let me know where i can get them.

thanks

Jac November 9th, 2006 at 7:27 am

Anyone know where to find the ‘bugger’ ad?

johnno November 24th, 2006 at 1:08 pm

does anyone remember the health insurance ad for mbf or hcf im not sure but it has a guy and a girl talking about not needing hip replacements

also does anyone have the D’Decore ad

thanks

morgan December 3rd, 2006 at 5:16 pm

can someone please tell me where i can find a downloadable copy of the the seymour snowman skin cancer ad…”slip, slop, slap”.
cheers

morgan December 3rd, 2006 at 5:22 pm

can someone please tell me where i can find a downloadable copy of the the seymour snowman skin ad…”slip, slop, slap”.
cheers

Stephen January 7th, 2007 at 6:31 pm

When I was a kid in the 80s my sporting hero was Greg Norman, and the advertisement with him for Swan Lager was just inspirational:
They said you’d never make it, surfing’s more your game.
And your golf is too erratic, you’d better stick to ridin’ waves.
They said you’d never make it, but you finally came through.
For all of you who’ve made it, this Swan’s made for you!”

It’s got my vote for the best Australian beer commercial of all time.

Tom January 9th, 2007 at 11:41 pm

Could someone be able to remind me the television commercial which featured the song “C’mon Get Happy”, which I think was shown around 1997.

Thanks!

moose January 10th, 2007 at 1:15 pm

hey anyone know were to find the vb bitter ad “the code of arms” its the one were they cook up a bbq in the bush and covered in smoke standing round the bbq???i think its last years ad…

Susie February 5th, 2007 at 5:11 pm

bugger dog ad on youtube.com

I am also looking for (preferably downloadable)
the original holeproof ‘pants down’ tv ad
the d’decore ad
I feel like a toohey’s ad

Thanks!

Michelle February 14th, 2007 at 11:14 am

Does anyone remember an animal ad (could be RSPCA but I’m not sure) and all I remember is the tune, it was really slow and went something like bodomp, bodomp…okay, that was a really bad description but hopefully someone remembers and might be able to help me track it down? Thanks!

amanda February 24th, 2007 at 6:43 pm

hay

could someone please tell me where i can find the cancer add where a guy is laying in a hospitial bed and is singing a song it was on tv all the time in december if u know any information and u please email me on manda_311@hotmail.com

it would be greatly appreasated

Gina Sanderson February 27th, 2007 at 9:00 pm

Does anyone remember an ad about Vitamins? “who knows? Mum knows. How do you think she got this far?”

Who was it by? Anywhere I can download it, find it? the words mainly.

thanks

Raymond March 7th, 2007 at 5:30 pm

does anyone know a link to the new Smiths chips ad, where they start singing in a construction site

kane March 12th, 2007 at 8:57 pm

The song off the smiths chips add is:

So Happy Together by The Turtles

Raymond March 13th, 2007 at 8:39 pm

yeh i know what the song is mate, but i cant find any site where u can either download or watch the ad, can anybody help?

kane March 14th, 2007 at 9:22 pm

use any P2P software such as “limewire”

Janet April 4th, 2007 at 12:06 pm

I am after the Telstra (actually was probably Telecom) ad where a kid is ringing his mum from the phone booth because Stinky Taylor let his tyres down. Any clues, anyone? Cheers

Chris April 17th, 2007 at 5:44 pm

The Smith’s Chips ad is on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQnisQDGUgE

loulou May 10th, 2007 at 2:16 pm

Michelle - could it be the RSPCA ad shot in a white studio with the animals running across the screen one after another? The copyline was “For all creatures great and small’.
Aleisha - wasn’t that ad for Underdaks? (I reckon we should STILL be calling ‘em ‘Underdaks’!).
Craig - I’m with you. I can’t believe there’s no mpeg/watchable site of all our old favourites. We didn’t even have a telly until ‘75 and yet I remember so many of them and when thinking about them, realise how fantastically Australian they were! When some bright spark has the time to put together such a collection…well.. They Outta Be Congratulated!

Nat May 11th, 2007 at 2:04 am

The Yellow Pages “Olympic Games” ad from the mid/late 90’s.

Up in the broadcast box, on the telephone after a runner from the small African natin of Roboto has won, and they can’t find the national anthem …

“I need the national anthem for Roboto … NO, Ro-bo-to! What, you’ve got it?! Just play it down the line!”

Holds phone to microphone with a grimace

“Rrrrrrrrow, row, row you boat, gently down the stream ….”

LMAO every time!

Shazza June 21st, 2007 at 2:54 pm

Hey Nat!! That ad is the one I’m in here searching for! I too LMAO every time I think of it, I think it’s even better than the ‘Not happy Jan’ one’s! Have to admit, Yellow Pages have an excellent advertising company, that obviously employs someone with an absolutly hilarious SOH! I so hope I can find it somewhere, couldn’t locate it at youtube, so I guess if it’s not there, it’s not anywhere close at hand :(

xcgsv8 June 30th, 2007 at 12:19 pm

Hi you might find most of these ads at http://www.youtube.com
just try searching as i’ve seen some of the ads that people have mentioned in these posts and the rspca ad that michelle was after is there aswell…
enjoy!

Connie August 12th, 2007 at 1:30 am

I had a copy of an old Underdax commercial where a guy is going through the scanner at an airport and ends up having to strip down to his undies. Very funny. I lost the clip when my computer crashed. Anyone have a copy?

Caroline August 20th, 2007 at 10:28 am

Does anyone know what tv advertisment had the jingle ‘I’ve got dreams…’? I think it was a homemaker advertisment… Its driving me crazy! If anyone rememebers PLEASE let me know

Justin Stern September 3rd, 2007 at 9:07 pm

I AM DESPERATE!!!

Can someone please help me find a copy mp3/wav or .avi of the Swan Lager “Never Make It” Sound Bight!!! Please…or if anyone knows who the campaign/ad was made by maybe i can chase them down?

Thanks In Advance?

jacob September 12th, 2007 at 5:33 am

That’s what we call ding a lings… The Vitamin’s ad… The ABC’s… The Danger in your house ad… boo za boo zib, How do we look after our teeth.
Who knows where I can watch them now?
(I guess mum does)
Seriously I really need to see them again.

brooke September 17th, 2007 at 1:27 pm

I am looking for those tvcs where the boring accountant achieves a great return for you - H&R Block I think.
“this is Jan - she is …” something like that
Can anyone help??!

Simon September 20th, 2007 at 1:05 pm

Loulou .. I am keen to find that animal ad also .. know where i can download it from ..

also does anyone know of the ad where the tag line at the end is “he’s gotta go back to get his hat” may be for beer or something

Paul September 21st, 2007 at 6:17 am

Can someone please help me find a commercial from 1996ish

I believe it was for IRON. One of the tag lines was “Im a single mother with a daughter” others include “It could be environmental, I really dont know… it could be in the watterrr…” It was filmed in black and white from memory. It was various snippets of ‘Australian women’ and their antics of xxxxxx?

Its killing me. I need to find this commercial. I’ve Youtubed it and nothing comes up.

Can anyone help?!?!

AJ October 7th, 2007 at 12:34 pm

Anyone know where I could find the old King Gee commercial from the 80’s where a series of misfortunes occurs at a construction site; all started by a small carton of milk.

Any help would be great!

‘Celebrating’ 50 years of Television Advertising October 15th, 2007 at 10:14 am

[...] Here’s the top thirty, as listed by Duncan: [...]

Peter October 16th, 2007 at 10:13 am

I need to settle a debate with my wife and it’s about a TV commercial, maybe last year (06 )or the year before (05). I can’t remember what it really was about but this is what I do remember from it.
There was a butler and he was the main focus in the ad, he was waiting to wait on his customers ( couples ) which seem to be somewhere else, and I think it was in a big old house at a wine yard. The song they used in the commercial I think was, “if you go into the woods today” At the end of the ad you see the butler dancing out side to the song.
If anyone knows what that comercial was about and where to find it,.

nicole November 3rd, 2007 at 7:12 pm

Hi everyone, I am desperately searching for an old vb commercial made around 1978 - 1984. It features a relative who has since passed on. I have spent the last 5 years searching for it. Bascially the vb ad im looking for features a few greek men at victoria markets in melbourne and one of them is holding up a fish about his head. I cant remember what else is featured in that commercial if anyone can help I would be forever greatful. my email is nikki_jae at hotmail.com. Thankyou

hairydogtrumpet December 5th, 2007 at 8:43 pm

classic aussie add, MUM KNOWS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-bRi1qHPVY

Jeff Worboys December 16th, 2007 at 12:13 am

Justin Stern any luck finding that advertisement for Swan Beer “they said you’d never make it etc…” great ad
any one out there who knows where it is i will buy them a beer.
thanks

Matt February 27th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

I am trying to find an online copy (either video or just audio) for what was I believe HBA Health Cover, pre June 30th, that involved the cricketer and the “Creepy little kid”… you know, “Hit’s you pretty hard, hey dad?”

paul March 2nd, 2008 at 8:42 am

i’m looking for an ad that was shown during a movie tennage mutant ninja turtles very early 90’s. the ad is for mexican food. there was a dancing cactus and the song that was sung by the cactus that i recall is ” mexican, of course you can, comes the pot, comes the can, you don’t need no frying pan!, whoo hoo hoo.” yeh i know that’s sad but i need to find this ad. please help. thanks.

Mark March 12th, 2008 at 6:30 pm

Hello, I’m really keen to track down copies of old Honda motorcycle ads. In particular XL 250S/XL500S. Made in Australia around 1978/79. Any help would be great.
Thanks

Hussy71 March 15th, 2008 at 4:45 am

Can sum1 please please tell me i can find copy of old sydney add selling security doors/locks/screens wif bloke pretending to b burgalar in it wearing balaclava, it was screened bout mid 80’s Cheers Hussy

Trina Woodhouse March 21st, 2008 at 3:18 pm

Please email me the first d decore commercial. Duke of earl. I think it was in the eighties

Mark Davidson April 1st, 2008 at 2:29 pm

What was the ad with the classic line:

‘They said you’d never make it’

Lady Michiru Kaiou April 16th, 2008 at 11:58 am

Michelle,

I know exactly the ad that you are referring
to.

Like you, the most memorable part for me was the creepy, thumping music.
It featured a labrador retriever named Houdini,
running through a bush location.

All I can remember of the narration is:

“This is Houdini . . . his ears have been cut
off.”

It also shows a headshot of Houdini as the
camera pans out to show the mutilation.

I think it was an RSPCA ad, but I’m not sure.
I’m looking for it too.
And yes, the music still creeps me out 21 years
later, just thinking about it.

kate April 30th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

hi guys im dying to find the ad from early 90’s i THINK it was promoting tests for cervical cancer. its different women saying ” awww it could be lifestyle, could be the environment…..aww im a single mother with a daughter…” with a really brash australian accent..

loulou May 4th, 2008 at 6:05 pm

Peter - regarding the debate you are having with your wife. The ad was for the Yarra Valley. The jingle was a version of ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’. I think some of it was shot in Montsalvat in Eltham. The idea was that if you go there you won’t want to leave - the guests were hiding behind curtains and in the vineyards and the butler was having to stash all their suitcases in a big cupboard. It was a beautiful ad - a bit too beautiful as I had to catch it a few times before I understood what they were promoting!

Duncan May 4th, 2008 at 7:37 pm

Loulou and Peter - the Yarra Valley ad in question is featured here at Duncans.TV, using the song, Run Rabbit Run.

jess Bannister May 11th, 2008 at 9:49 pm

that animal ad that goes bodom badom, was i think for the melbourne zoo, not rspca. great add.

Craig May 14th, 2008 at 3:39 am

Were they whistling ‘The 1812 Overture’ by Tchaikovsky? That one was the ad for the Army Reserves.

Craig May 14th, 2008 at 3:43 am

‘They said you’d never make it…but you finally came through” was the jingle for Swan beer (WA brewery) around the time we won the America’s cup. It was all owned by Alan Bond at the time.

“You made it through, and this one’s made for you…..this SWAN’s made for you”

sydney May 24th, 2008 at 6:30 pm

does anyone know where i can find the Kit Kat commercial that had the cockatoo saying “I know…” down the phone while his owner had a break?

Darren May 25th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

Does anyone know where i can get a download of an old tooheys ad where its set in gallipoli and at the end of it one guy say to another ” now he’s gotta go back and get his hat”.

mk9 June 5th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

Does anyone know where I can watch the current Mccains Gourmet Pizza TV ad online?

John June 13th, 2008 at 5:26 am

I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find the old Cougar whiskey ads, the one where the guy is trying to remember his order at the bar and a blonde in a tight vest with “Cougar” on the front serves him and he orders “4 Cougars” instead.

I know of this ad but never seen it.

Cheers

Peter V June 19th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

I too like Sidney am looking for that KIT KAT ad where the cocketoo repeats the words;” I know”
Is it available anywhere???

Sue August 2nd, 2008 at 11:14 pm

Does anyone know where I can download the new Smiths Chips ad where they’re at the beach. The song in it is “So happy together”

John Carr August 10th, 2008 at 10:37 pm

Hi, I have been desperately searching for years for some ads I remember from my earlier years. They are ..

1. I think it was shell unleaded fuel. You see a merrigoround with the horses going up and down, with a kinky tune playing, then one breaks out and runs free, a big white stallion, it jumps a big gap and is running as the music picks right up. The ad was introducing shell? unleaded fuel.

2. The classic Holden VL commodore commercial about 1986, pulling the Australia II yaght across the dessert, passing a ford. Was done at the introduction of unleaded fuel for the Holden V8 to assure people that the V8 had not lost any power due to unleaded fuel.

3. ‘The lion that roars in 84′ classic holden commercial

plz plz plz anyone who can help me send me an email

Rhiannon August 14th, 2008 at 7:48 pm

Hi,

I am trying to find a downloadable copy or youtube url of an Aussie ad that aired in late 2006 early 2007. It was either on SBS or ABC (sometimes was played at the movies before the flick started) and it followed the narrative of an idea or something. it was created using all neon lights as if someone was scribbling the story on paper and it had a mans voice narrating the ad. Something like “there once was an old man…” If anyone can help that’d be great.

Thanks!!

john Khoury August 15th, 2008 at 5:47 pm

I’m looking for the old a hudson hardware commercials which had a character in it called house pride herb-can anyone help???

Acai Berry August 18th, 2008 at 3:51 pm

Thanks to the article, it make the life of a seo/link building easier and make the commenter come back again and again. I searched for a while to find the right answer to my questions!

Craig Turner September 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 am

Where can I find a copy of the classic Noel Brophy 70’s era commercial… “so call now for your free (cattledog lands in his arms)no no, not a cattledog, a catalogue!”. I cant remember what was being advertised, which might help me locate it. Can anyone help?

Paul September 30th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

Re …the Decore ad

Music was produced by a friend of mine Clive Harrison, he did the bass vocal parts which was a remake of the 1950’s hit “Duke Of Earl”

Clive is ex Kush, Avalanche, LRB and Dave Dobbyn (DD Smash) also worked at times with Les Gock (ex Hush)making jingles..he is still about doing sound for film and TV

The Decore ad I believe was released as a single under the name of “Dukes Of Earlwood”
Hope this helps..

Paul September 30th, 2008 at 3:17 pm

I am looking for a Coke ad from around 1970
featuring a Ford Capri at Oran Park

John October 18th, 2008 at 7:08 pm

Funny! no one has mentioned the UNCLE SAM ad that won awards in the seventies for best commercial. People these days don’t seem to remember it!!!!!!!!!!!

Joshua Hrouda October 28th, 2008 at 3:56 am

One ad I’d love to see again, among 1000’s of others, is the Sydney Electricity ad, which has time lapse images of waterways, etc. including a waterlock being raised and lowered, the soundtrack was a great piece of classical music.

Joshua Hrouda October 28th, 2008 at 4:06 am

OK.. Enough is enough!!
What I need to do (or someone else), is get a bunch of (100’s of) video cassettes from the mid 70’s until the mid 00’s and play them on a studio quality VCR/VTR, and digitise the ads found on those tapes, in full resolution, and edit/trim their starts & ends, and save them as individual files on a hard drive. Then make these available on the net.
Some people (read: bloody wowsers) would say you can’t do that, you don’t have the copyright, etc.!
But I say “Stuff ‘em!”
This is getting them more free advertising, so they should thanks us!
Even if it isn’t, what harm can it do!?
They made us watch them, some of us love them, so why deny us the right, to watch them again ?!

I hate it when I see people chuck out their old VHS tapes, I take em all home, when I see em. Sometimes I find classic ads, from the 80’s, 90’s, etc. on them.

The place to really find a goldmine, is at the TV studios. They keep nearly everything.
But they wouldn’t let you make copies of them, not even for $10,000 per ad. And I’m talking 1000’s of ads!

Also, with the recent proliferation of PVRs/DVRs/DVD recorders & Tivo units, a lot more recording of TV will be going on. And in a higher quality format, than old VHS.
Hopefully people will keep ads on DVD.
I’d love to have a DVD set of just TV ads.
Even run of the mill ones like advertising a TV program coming up.

Let me know what you think. Thanks.

Joshua Hrouda October 28th, 2008 at 4:15 am

I became a MASSIVE fan of the computer game(s) Lemmings. Then I remembered seeing an ad for it on TV, available at Harvey Norman, I think.
Must’ve been around 1991 or so, when the game first came out.
This kind of ad is one most people who bother to KEEP ads, wouldn’t keep.

But with digital media storage space becoming cheaper every week, we can afford to.

Lets just hope someone set their VCR to record a show, and left the ads in! And this ad, and countless others are saved for posterity!

Zano November 2nd, 2008 at 8:19 pm

I’m looking for an old taronga park zoo ad where the animals are singing “you belong in the zoo”… i used to love that ad when i was a kid.

Debi Kobarg November 18th, 2008 at 11:01 pm

I am also looking for the original Holeproof underdaks ad, as well as the first few Fosters “How to speak Australian” ads (salad, remote control, washing machine. Can anyone help. Youtube has many but not the ones I’m looking for.



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