Bridge Riggers Have Nerves Of Steel: Australian Diary 89.

Sydney Harbour Bridge turns 80 today 19/3/2012. Read more on the NFSA blog here: aso.gov.au/news... Opened on this day in 1932 "The Coathanger" as it is known still provides an essential link across the expanse of Sydney Harbour. The riggers who have to continually paint the bridge from one side to the other presumably take more safety precautions now than thay did when this film was made. Made by the National Film Board 1956 and filmed by Frank McKechnie.

[@ianclark1815]

Great to see this video again . I am married to John Sale's daughter and we have just completed the Bridge Climb. It was amazing to experience some of the courage of these men and they seemed to be fearless. John was in charge of the Painters for over 25 years and many stories told to her made it a very special place. Real men!!

[@NFSAFilms]

Great, thanks for sharing your experiences here.

[@gregerysale]

The guy in white overalls climbing on the left of screen, and sitting down to "have a cuppa" on top of the bridge was called John Sale (my late dad) - we grew up with "dads bridge" - thanks Film Australia - made my week

[@waynejourdain]

memories are precious cuz!

[@Aussiegirl265]

My Nanna was 9 when the bridge was built. She remembers standing on the grassy area with a pair of binoculars watching it be opened to the public for the first time.

[@NFSAFilms]

Gregery that's pretty special - glad you found it and thanks for letting us know.

[@nodazeoff6545]

i admire there bravery and hardwork but how on earth was there such intelligence to build the bridge with all the tools to think the thing is still strong today and they couldnt even think of a simple harness ... still though makes the history even better i guess never get bored of out beautiful harbour and its bridge

[@THEMAYQUEEN1]

@TheTazzietiger thats for sure! My stomach was turning just watching that :)

[@fsfer]

awesome.

[@THEMAYQUEEN1]

OMG those men are not even tied to the bridge while working up there

[@kenoath6846]

That’s when men where real men just getting on with the job the Australia way ✊🏻🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@TheItchyFetus]

workcover would of been all over that like a plague.

[@Auslady]

Can't you just see Paul Hogan tripping amongst the girders? Makes all the people that climb the bridge today and complain seem silly ... ( I enjoyed it totally when I did it)

[@FecesPeces]

Are simple harnesses and clips such intricate technology that it was beyond 1950's capability? That's just stupid.

[@bullsnutsoz]

Are you joking; these were real men.Nobody ever fell..You are judging real men against lettuce leaf wimps of today

[@applemuffin7253]

No safety.. the days when common sense was used and not 100 pages of safety data you need to memorise before you tap a hammer