Archive for July, 2018

The breaking of the drought: silent movies and photography

The breaking of the drought: silent movies and photography

July 30, 2018

Arts & literature, Such was life:

The Library has digitised some wonderful photographs taken during the filming of the 1920 Australian silent movie, ‘The breaking of the drought.’ Melodrama, song, dance, water ballet, seduction, ruin and redemption; this movie has it all. And a happy ending too.

Family History & Newspaper Room temporary closure

Family History & Newspaper Room temporary closure

July 30, 2018

Family matters:

Find out which resources will be available while the Family History and Newspaper Reading Room is closed from Friday 24 August to Thursday 20 September.

Australia’s golden age of cycling

Australia’s golden age of cycling

July 20, 2018

Exhibitions, Our stories, People & professions:

Cheering echoed throughout the streets of Sydney in November 1937 as some 60,000 people gathered along the last 80 kilometres of Hubert Opperman’s epic trans-continental ride. Once as famous as cricketer Don Bradman, endurance cyclist ‘Oppy’ is currently featured in the Changing face of Victoria exhibition. Discover objects from his career, loaned to us by Museums Victoria.

Empress Josephine and the last emu

Empress Josephine and the last emu

July 16, 2018

Our stories:

In France, in 1822, the last surviving Australian dwarf emus died. The emus had made the unlikely journey from their their homes on Kangaroo and King Islands to the splendid gardens of Empress Josephine Bonaparte’s Malmaison.

Books celebrating NAIDOC Week 2018

Books celebrating NAIDOC Week 2018

July 12, 2018

Our stories:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island women empower past generations and pave the way for future generations of Indigenous Australians. This selection of recent books by Indigenous Australian women reflects the literary achievements of Indigenous women and their gift of empowerment to children.

fairy The babes asleep in the wood

Early history of movable and pop-up books

July 3, 2018

Arts & literature, Our stories:

Pop-up books enthral readers for many reasons: their ingenuity, their beauty, and because they challenge the two-dimensional nature of printed books. Explore the range of paper engineering mechanisms that have been used in books for more than 700 years.

NAIDOC Week 2018: ‘Because of her, we can!’ ebooks

NAIDOC Week 2018: ‘Because of her, we can!’ ebooks

July 3, 2018

Our stories:

This NAIDOC Week, be inspired by stories and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, available as ebooks. Whether you live in Melbourne or Manangatang, log in from home with your State Library card number and start reading.