An ABC Australia programme about the new British Commonwealth, featuring examples of development work and progress from a variety of Commonwealth nations, with an emphasis on inter-racial co-operation and friendship.
Written by John Thomson and narrated by Wilfrid Thomas. Produced by Neil Hutcheson. Music composed by John Antill and performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Interview with Pamela Presley, a teacher of deaf children in Sydney,who met Group Captain Cheshire and is now going to work at his home in Dehra Dun, India. A recording of singing by a blind girl named Sakeena, made at Group Captain Cheshire's home, for "incurable and unwanted mentally-deficient children'. An Australian woman Jane Veyner (?) who volunteers at the home, caring for nine children and people with leprosy. Captain Cheshire talks briefly about why he opened his home in India.
In Karachi, Pakistan a young man sings "O, Canada!" and explains how he came to learn it working with Canadian engineers on a hydro-electric dam project.
In Ceylon, a priest and a a former boxer have set up a home and farm for destitute boys. Julius Peries [?] talks about his work and the boy's orchestra is heard.
In Singapore, an Indian nurse who trained at Melbourne University is convincing mothers that vaccines are safe. Her work succeeded in halting a recent polio epidemic.
In Johore, Malaya, Ernie Toft is turning jungle into a rice and rubber plantation and training blind Malay people to farm. A Malay woman who was one of the first women to train as a teacher, talks about teaching indigenous Malay 'aborigines'.
In Hong Kong, a million Chinese refugees have found sanctuary but are forced to live on the footpath or in self-built shacks. Lee Bow Chun, a student refugee, talks about how he came to teach street children. Audio of an English class.
Borneo, Sarawak. A Dyak man Michael talks about becoming a teacher and bringing literacy to Sarawak.
Indian artist Shankar [K.Shankar Pillai] talks about his work with children and art. He runs an international children's art competition. A prize was one this year by Esther from Bathurst Island in the Timor Sea - she speaks briefly.
In Rotorua, New Zealand, Guide Rangi talks about the similarities between all the people from around the world, whom she has guided over the years.
In Fiji, children sing the carol "Good King Wenceslaus". A Fijian medical officer talks about Christmas in Fiji and the Commonwealth.
Hon. Learie Constantine, a Trinidadian cricketer and politician, speaks about the Commonwealth's role in replacing the Empire.
In Kenya, an assistant veterinary officer based on the shores of Lake Kenya, speaks about Commonwealth assistance they have received from New Zealand, importing sheep breeding stock.
Dr Botha de Meillion of South Africa talks about the fight to stamp out malaria. A comment from Douglas Taylor from Glasgow who has settled in Northern Rhodesia and an unidentified Nigerian doctor speaks about working with colleagues from other Commonwealth nations.
In Ghana, Mr Degraft [?] a teacher, talks about the importance of the arts.
Douglas Wilkinson, a Canadian author and filmmaker speaks about the North of his country and living with the Eskimo people.
Philip Mason, a former member of the Indian civil service, talks about the new equality in personal relationships between English and Indian residents, since independence. He has seen the same changes developing in Africa.
In Australia, a Hungarian girl talks about learning English and an Australian boy talks enthusiastically about his 'new Australian' friends - including a Japanese boy.
Athlete Herb Elliott talks as a young Australian about changing attitudes towards other races, citing the recent Commonwealth Games at Cardiff, where athletes from all countries mingled happily.He talks about the Commonwealth as a 'new experiment' in unity.
The narrator ends by noting the Commonwealth is based on the British traditions of decent government, free speech, and fair play.