Voices of 1970 in speech and song

Voices of 1970 in speech and song -

In the late 1960s, when the world was changing rapidly around them, one visionary man on Norfolk Island recognised that something precious was slipping away. Armed with pioneering sound recording equipment—a rarity in those days and costly to acquire for such a remote location—he embarked on a mission that would prove invaluable to future generations. John Anderson had moved to Norfolk Island when he was 12 years old with his parents.  Over the years, he not only had a passion for electronics, radios, film, aviation and the island’s natural history. He understood that the voices of Norfolk Island's elders carried within them the very soul of the island: stories of survival, tradition, and community life that had been passed down through generations of Pitcairners who arrived on the island and the next generations of Norfolk Islanders.

AUDIO >> have a listen now to his interview with Brad Adams and Alex Carr in 1970.

These precious recordings by John Anderson, have now found a new life in the digital age of today. His personal mission to document Norfolk Island's heritage has now allowed me to share this recording and allows for a personal glimpse into the daily rhythms of island life of the early islanders.

The transformation from analogue tape to digital podcast represents more than technological progress—it's a bridge across generations. Visitors to Norfolk Island can now prepare for their journey by listening to the actual voices of those who lived through the island's most formative years, understanding not just what happened, but how it felt to live through those times.

AUDIO >>> Have a listen now to the full recording of our hymn, Gethsemane as captured by John Anderson at a Methodist Church service in 1969.

These voices from the past can help to illuminate the present, gifting an understanding for visitors to the island that our Norfolk Island isn't just a destination—it's a living museum where every sunset carries the whispers of generations who call this tiny speck in the Pacific their home.

Today, as you explore Norfolk Island's dramatic coastlines and historic sites, I hope that this podcast series serves as an invisible guide, enriching every experience with the depth of understanding that only comes from hearing history told in the voices of those who lived it. 

This preservation in sound recordings ensures that the spirit of Norfolk Island—resilient, community-minded, and deeply connected to place—continues to resonate with each new generation of visitors who discover our extraordinary corner of the world.

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Transcript

Voices of 1970 in speech and song - 

Welcome to Episode 48 of the Untold Norfolk Island travel podcast series. 

My name is Jodie Williams and as a Norfolk Islander & Churchill Fellow, I am your ‘on island’ podcast host.

AUDIO >>You have just heard a short snippet of a recording captured by John Anderson at a Methodist Church service in 1969.


In the late 1960s, when the world was changing rapidly around them, one visionary man on Norfolk Island recognised that something precious was slipping away. Armed with pioneering sound recording equipment—a rarity in those days and costly to acquire for such a remote location—he embarked on a mission that would prove invaluable to future generations. John Anderson had moved to Norfolk Island when he was 12 years old with his parents.  Over the years, he not only had a passion for electronics, radios, film, aviation and the island’s natural history. He understood that the voices of Norfolk Island's elders carried within them the very soul of the island: stories of survival, tradition, and community life that had been passed down through generations of Pitcairners who arrived on the island and the next generations of Norfolk Islanders.

AUDIO >> have a listen now to his interview with Brad Adams and Alex Carr in 1970.



These precious recordings by John Anderson, have now found a new life in the digital age of today. His personal mission to document Norfolk Island's heritage has now allowed me to share this recording and allows for a personal glimpse into the daily rhythms of island life of the early islanders.

The transformation from analogue tape to digital podcast represents more than technological progress—it's a bridge across generations. Visitors to Norfolk Island can now prepare for their journey by listening to the actual voices of those who lived through the island's most formative years, understanding not just what happened, but how it felt to live through those times.

AUDIO >>> Have a listen now to the full recording of our hymn, Gethsemane as captured by John Anderson at a Methodist Church service in 1969.

These voices from the past can help to illuminate the present, gifting an understanding for visitors to the island that our Norfolk Island isn't just a destination—it's a living museum where every sunset carries the whispers of generations who call this tiny speck in the Pacific their home.

Today, as you explore Norfolk Island's dramatic coastlines and historic sites, I hope that this podcast series serves as an invisible guide, enriching every experience with the depth of understanding that only comes from hearing history told in the voices of those who lived it. 

This preservation in sound recordings ensures that the spirit of Norfolk Island—resilient, community-minded, and deeply connected to place—continues to resonate with each new generation of visitors who discover our extraordinary corner of the world.