Founded in the mid-1960s by John McCallum, Bob Austin and Lee Robinson, Fauna Productions (aka Norfolk International) is perhaps best known for its first television series, Skippy (q.v.). The three principles established the company following the success of They're a Weird Mob (q.v.). Robinson and McCallum had both been involved in the film's production - the former as production supervisor and the latter as a co-producer. Robinson had also previously been responsible for the 1963 television series Adventure Unlimited, while McCallum, a well-established film and stage actor, had previously been the managing director of J. C. Williamson's (q.v.). Recognising the prospective opportunities in the new medium, they joined with Sydney lawyer Bob Austin to create a vehicle for making local television series that had international potential.
Although formed as Fauna Productions, the company used the name Norfolk International in its production credits - the implementation of the alternative name being primarily for tax purposes. On the advice of Nine Network head Frank Packer, Fauna had moved its official business address from Sydney to Norfolk Island and, for subsequent legal purposes, had to conduct a certain number of board meetings in the island. The advantage, however, was that the company paid only half the tax that Australian productions were required to pay (and the same situation applied to overseas sales as well).
McCallum, Robinson and Austin's first plan was to follow the success of They're a Weird Mob with a spin-off series, but cancelled this idea due to its limited overseas appeal. The company's stated intention to produce for the international market was in direct contrast to Crawford Productions (q.v.), which made shows primarily for the Australian audience. The three principals eventually decided to produce a children's series as they believed that this would generate greater international sales. Looking for that unique Australian ingredient, they came up with the idea of a kangaroo as the focal point of a half-hour series. The idea was to replicate the Hollywood-type series based around an animal, but with a uniquely Australian animal. To that time the most popular shows had been Flipper (a dolphin), Lassie, Rin Tin Tin and The Littlest Hobo (dogs).
Following the enormous success of Skippy, both locally and internationally, Fauna Productions undertook another half-hour adventure series, Barrier Reef (q.v., 1971-1972). Their next production was a one hour drama regarded by many as their finest achievement in television - Boney (q.v., 1972-1973). Other television productions were Bailey's Bird (1977) and Shannon's Mob (1975-1976). The company also co-produced (with John McCallum Productions) the 1982 feature film Attack Force Z (1982), starring Mel Gibson and Sam Neil.
