This fascinating series continues tonight taking viewers on an exploration of the world’s oldest surviving culture – that of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Rob Collins and a team of investigators reveal the unique inventions that ensured First Nations people survived and thrived for a staggering 65,000 years.
Humanity has never faced greater survival challenges than it does today. In the search for solutions, Rob Collins and a team of investigators discover how First Nations knowledge and cutting-edge science are teaming up.
From the Indigenous-led fire management that is halving greenhouse emissions across Australia’s Top End, to botanical knowledge helping engineer the next generation of lifesaving medicines, our future on this planet will depend on how we all work together.
The First Inventors is a unique co-commission between NITV and Network 10. Presented by Logie Award-winning actor and proud Tiwi Islander, Rob Collins, the documentary enlists a team of First Nations investigators to delve into over 65,000 years of invention and innovation.
The series offers a deep dive into how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples transformed entire landscapes, recorded prehistoric events dating back to the last ice age, and organised complex societies. It further highlights how they navigated vast distances and the development of ancient trading routes, intricate communication systems using secret languages encoded into message sticks, and unique social structures designed to preserve genetic diversity.
Rob Collins, the host, expressed his excitement about the series, stating,
“The power of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge is awe-inspiring, its endurance speaks to the strength, resilience, and ingenuity of Indigenous knowledge holders around this incredible country. I can’t wait to share this amazing story of knowledge, resilience, and adventure!”
The series doesn’t just delve into the past; it also explores whether this ancient knowledge might provide answers to some of humanity’s most urgent contemporary challenges.
Marissa McDowell, Head of Commissions at NITV and proud Wiradjuri woman, added,
“The First Inventors celebrates and illuminates more than 65,000 years of knowledges and cultures. We’re excited to share these stories from across Australia with our communities and all Australians – a collaboration between science and culture, in NITV and Network 10’s first co-commissioned series.”
Daniel Monaghan, Senior Vice President Content and Programming at Paramount Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), added,
“Not only will The First Inventors give all Australians the chance to learn more about the Country we live on, but it will also help us to better understand the world we live in.”
The First Inventors is produced by Ronde Pty Ltd for NITV and Network 10, with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with NITV, and financial support from the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Tourism Australia, Screen NSW and Screen Territory.
After its premiere, the series will continue to air weekly and will be available for streaming on 10 Play and SBS ON DEMAND, where it will be subtitled in Arabic and Simplified Chinese. The First Inventors is a series that promises to rewrite Australian history, and it’s one not to be missed.
