Amidst the horrors of World War 1, Australian soldiers could escape for a few hours playing games of Australian Rules football. The playing fields were often recent battlefields, pockmarked with shell holes, but the games reminded them of happier times at home.
Arts & literature, Collection spotlights:
Proquest’s Early English Books Online database features page images of almost every work printed in the British Isles and North America, as well as works in English printed elsewhere, from 1470-1700. More than 200 libraries worldwide have contributed to this comprehensive database, which covers literature, art, architecture, philosophy, religion, politics, history and linguistics. The collection has everything from the first book printed in English through to the ages of Spenser, Shakespeare and the English Civil War.
Collection, Digitisation, Performing Arts, Recently digitised, Social life & customs, Theatre:
George Selth Coppin, an indefatigable powerhouse, was responsible for much of the popular culture that entertained theatre going audiences in the second half of the 19th century. State Library Victoria has recently digitised more than 1200 theatre playbills from its comprehensive Coppin Collection – a highly significant archive of theatrical history.
Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:
Dudley Flats was a slum that emerged on the West Melbourne swamp during the early years of the Great Depression. Residents of the Flats were known for their resourcefulness, fashioning makeshift houses – known colloquially as ‘Dudley mansions’ – out of refuse scavenged from the nearby tip.
Family matters, Research tips & tricks:
September 2 marks the 80th anniversary of the official end of World War II. This is a time when people may reflect on the experiences of the service men and… Read More ›
