The top 5 most watched videos on YouTube from 2020

With the end of 2020 approaching, we are taking a look back at our social media platforms to see what were the most popular posts from the year and have a closer look at the collections and stories associated.  This blog takes a look at the top 5 most viewed John Oxley Library videos from State Library of Queensland's YouTube channel. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world during 2020, State Library like most businesses and organisations had to close our South Bank building to onsite visitors and think about how to pivot our services digitally. During this time we realised how important our social media platforms were for sharing our collections, their stories and Queensland's history in general. Through our various platforms we can reach far more people than we can service onsite, we can reach new audiences, not only across the state but also across the world.

YOUTUBE TOP 5

Number 5:

Radio in the Second World War, John Scanlan, 2009, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

This video was part of the Storylines Q150 digital stories project. In 2009, on the 150th anniversary of Queensland separating from the colony of New South Wales, State Library commissioned 87 digital stories on Queensland people and their experiences including those with culturally diverse stories to share.

This video is about radio training and usage during World War II by John Scanlan. The Second World War was the first war which made extensive use of radio communication and radar in military operations.

Number 4: 

Queensland's Indigenous Servicemen Digital Story and Oral History 2015, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

This video was a digital story commissioned for State Library's QANZAC 100 project, a project that looked back at Queensland's involvement in the First World War. 

This digital story explores the contribution and experiences of Indigenous Queenslanders during the First World War via an oral history interview with Des Crump, the Indigenous Languages Coordinator at the State Library. Despite the oppressive policies and practices of the Protection Era, between 1,250 and 1,500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women volunteered for the AIF, and approximately 300 were from Queensland. Indigenous Queenslanders tried to enlist for a variety of reasons, and Des discusses the effect of the Defence Act (1909), which excluded from service 'those who were not of 'substantially European origin or descent'. In 1917 the Act was amended to so that 'half castes' could enlist. While this increased Indigenous recruitment, it did not guarantee Indigenous soldiers any of the rights afforded their non-Indigenous comrades after the war, and they returned to a life of restriction and discrimination.

Number 3: 

Chad Morgan digital story and oral history, Rod Stevenson, 2019, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

This video is an oral history with Australian country music singer and guitarist Chad Morgan. Chad is known for his vaudeville style of comic country and western songs, his prominent teeth and goofy stage persona. Chad was born in Wondai, Queensland and now lives in Caboolture. He is known as the 'Sheik of Scrubby Creek', after one of his most popular creations.

Number 2: 

Have you seen the light? Kalinda Cluff, 2009, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

This video is also from the Storylines Q150 digital stories project. 

The digital story is set in the Boulia Shire where ever since anyone can remember, inexplicable lights have been experienced by a great variety of people. Kalinda, Maureen and Ric share their stories and theories about the mysterious Min Min light.

Number 1: The most watched John Oxley Library video from State Library's YouTube in 2020 is...

Paddy Shephard - Cape York Station Owner, Paddy Shephard, 2009, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

This video is also from the Storylines Q150 digital stories project. 

The digital story looks at Lochinvar Station in Cape York where Paddy Shephard and his family have been running the station for 110 years. Paddy talks about how they used to drove cattle from the station 500 km south to Mareeba. He also discusses how hard it is now to make a living as a pastoralist. 

Other Blogs

• 2020 Top 5: a look back at the most watched John Oxley Library videos on State Library's YouTube.
   
• 2020 Top 10: a look back at the most viewed John Oxley Library Blogs.