Noel Monkman

Noel Monkman (1896–1969) was an Australian filmmaker, born in New Zealand,[1] best known for specialising in underwater photography.[2] He was a press photographer in New Zealand before moving to Australia and jointing the Orpheum Theatre orchestra.

He established Australian Educational Films with F.W. Thring, directing a series of educational nature films about the Great Barrier Reef.[3][4] He later made several documentaries as well as two dramatic feature films. He collaborated throughout his career with his wife Kitty.[5]

He and Kitty lived for a time on Green Island, acting as a volunteer air observer during World War II.[6]

Selected filmography
  • Secrets of the Sea (1931) - director (documentary)
  • The Cliff Dwellers (1932) - director (documentary)
  • Coral and its Creatures (1932) - director (documentary)
  • Typhoon Treasure (1938) – writer, director
  • The Power and the Glory (1941) – writer, director
  • Marvels of Miniature (1950) - documentary
  • King of the Coral Sea (1954) – underwater photography
  • Deep Down Under (1956) - director (TV documentary)
  • Coral Kingdom (1958) – director

Writings
  • Escape to Adventure (1956)
  • From Queensland to the Great Barrier Reef : a naturalist's adventures in Australia (1958)
  • Quest for the Curly-Tailed Horses (1962) - autobiography

References
  1. nfsa.gov.au
  2. Biography at Classic Dive Books
  3. Frank Thring's Biography at Australian Dictionary of Biography
  4. Australian Educational Films at National Film and Sound Archive
  5. Kitty Monkman at National Film and Sound Archive
  6. History of Green Island


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