Photo courtesy of Roger Dooley

Marilyn Sue Dooley

Marilyn is a third generation Australian born, of Irish Chinese Ancestry in Central Queensland.

She is a graduate of the Australian National University in History and Classical Civilizations (Ancient Greece & Rome).

Marilyn's professions have included those of Librarian, Teacher, Theatre (Opera) Producer and Historian Archivist.

Marilyn was with the National Film and Sound Archive for 23 years from its opening in 1984 and is a founding member of the NFSA Owls (Old Wise, Lovely Seniors) - former staff and associates.

 In that capacity, Marilyn presents U3A (University of the Third Age) sessions at NFSA on topics of Australian Cinema & Radio History and Heritage with National Identity.

Marilyn also speaks at Conferences on Chinese Australian History, together with Family History. In 2024, she completed a set of 12 annual illustrated talks on the Yin & Yang of the Chinese Zodiac for the Chinese Heritage Association and City of Sydney Lunar New Year Celebrations.

Marilyn has published on Australian Film History, and Family History.

Her NFSA publication "Photo Play Artiste: Miss Lottie Lyell (1890 - 1925)" was awarded an Honourable Mention in the year 2000 Centre for Australian Cultural Studies Awards.

Marilyn produced the NFSA video series on Australia's Silent Cinema which won the national award in 2003.

Marilyn's Research & Academic Outreach work for NFSA has included many lectures and screenings on Women's Studies; and includes video reconstructions of two Longford Lyell Silent Features: 'The Romantic Story of Margaret Catchpole' 1911, and 'The Woman Suffers' 1918.

Marilyn continues her Family and Cultural Studies research, lectures,  publications and web articles, as an independent scholar and historian.