Our cameras follow the Governor-General of Australia for a year leading up to the Republican referendum in 1999. We see him at the official residence in Canberra and in Parliament and traveling throughout Australia and the world as the Australian head of state – or perhaps more accurately the representative of HM The Queen of Australia. We see the ceremony involved in this, the highest constitutional office in Australia. The swearing-in of the second Howard Ministry and the opening of the new Parliament. We follow Sir William on a trip to two outback communities in remote Central Australia and to Gallipoli on Anzac Day. All of his activities being consistent with Sir William’s own particular understanding of his constitutional responsibilities which he has described as ‘providing a mirror to the Australian people’. We also see the Governor-General travel to Windsor Castle where he meets the Queen, and we accompany him on an official State visit to Ireland — the first by an Australian Governor-General. The year of 1999 was not just any year, it was twelve months during which a debate took place as to whether our constitution should be altered to make provision for a President and a new Republic of Australia. This film makes a significant contribution not only to this ongoing debate but also to a better understanding of the historic and contemporary roles of the Governor-General. It provides an important and unique perspective on the operation of our highest Australian constitutional office — the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. Interviewees His Excellency Sir William Deane 22nd Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, 1996-2001 Associate-Professor Brian Costar Head, School of Public Policy, Monash University Syd Coulthard Traditional Owner, Tempe Downs remote community Sir Zelman Cowen 19th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, 1977-82 Dr. Jennifer Hocking Australian Research Council, Queen Elizabeth II Research Fellow, National Centre for Australian Studies, Monash University Bessie Liddle Traditional Owner, Middleton Ponds remote community Sir Ninian Stephen 20th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, 1982-89 Credits DURATION: 56 minutes FORMAT: Digital Betacam, Colour & Stereo Sound RELEASED Nationally on ABC-TV Big Picture 9:30pm Thursday 7 September 2000 DIRECTOR/WRITER: Daryl Dellora PRODUCER: Sue Maslin ORIGINAL MUSIC: John Phillips NARRATOR: Sigrid Thornton CINEMATOGRAPHER: Joel Peterson EDITOR: Mark Atkin SOUND RECORDIST: Mark Tarpey Produced with the assistance of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Developed with the assistance of Film Victoria (a division of Cinemedia) Financed with the assistance of the Australian Film Finance Corporation © 2000 Film Art Doco Pty Ltd and the Australian Film Finance Corporation Limited