The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia Restores Sons Of Matthew. Sons of Matthew is a legendary film in the history of Australian cinema. It is arguably Charles Chauvel’s most personal and ambitious work and took 18 months to complete, with filming in Queensland affected by flooding and heavy rain. It was a huge success with local audiences when it opened in December 1949, and was also released in the UK and US (as The Rugged O’Riordans).

The film pays tribute to the pioneering farmers of northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland. Chauvel’s family had roots in this area and he worked on cattle stations while he was growing up. The film was shot in Springbrook in the Gold Coast hinterland and the story was based on books by Bernard O’Reilly – of Gold Coast hinterland’s well-known O’Reilly family. The Chauvel family had many connections with the Gold Coast. Today, the Gold Coast Film Festival has an award named after Charles and Elsa Chauvel. The Chauvel Award is awarded annually in April in recognition of an individual’s contribution to Australian screen industry.