The Austral Duplex Record

This Australian label was produced by World Record (Australia) Pty Ltd and was an 8" disc with a thin veneer of shellac on a cardboard base. It was used exclusively for Australian recordings (while the 10" Austral Record used imported U.S. masters). The first recordings on The Austral Duplex Record were made in Melbourne by Ralton's Havana Band who were in Australia for an appearance at Carlyon's in St. Kilda during June and July 1925. These were the first disc recordings made in Australia (some cylinder records had been made in the early 1900s). The Austral Duplex Record had a short life-span from mid to late 1925.