Footage of David Gulpilil unearthed for the first time in over 40 years

WARNING: This story may contain names, images or voices of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Footage of iconic performer David Gulpilil has been unearthed and shown for the first time in 40 years by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA).

Shot on Super 8 by hen CSIRO scientist Dr Gavin Gillman, the footage had been stored in a shed for decades before it was donated to the NFSA by Dr Gillman.

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It shows Mr Gulpilil performing traditional dances alongside dancer Dick Plummer, accompanied by prominent didgeridoo player David Bylanadii (Blanasi) and songman Djoli 'Jolly Lajwonga' Laiwanga.

The performance was at the Consul General's residence in Honolulu in 1979 for an official Australia Day Reception.

Dr Gillman had been having a sabbatical at the University of Hawaii at the time and filmed much of the day's events.

"My greatest regret was not getting any footage of events at the Newman Centre after the dancers had given their evening performance," Dr Gillman said.

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"David changed into his normal attire, we drew up the words to 'Waltzing Matilda' on a large sheet of butcher's paper in order to educate our international audience, we fashioned a makeshift 'corks hat' and 'swag' for David, and went on stage to belt out a rousing rendition of Waltzing Matilda."

When Mr Gulpilil was recently shown the film he was said to be "entranced", enjoying "the chance to see himself as a young performer".

The release of this rare vision comes during NAIDOC Week and when the documentary My Name is Gulpilil airs in cinemas around Australia, including at Arc Cinema at the NFSA on 9 July.