Articles by: Sarah Matthews

‘Listen … quick. It’s Mr Whippy!’

‘Listen … quick. It’s Mr Whippy!’

January 20, 2023

Ask a librarian, Social life & customs, Such was life, Victorian history:

There are few sounds as synonymous with the beginning of summer as the strains of a Mr Whippy van floating on the breeze. But who was Mr Whippy really, and how did he get his start in Australia?

Miss Anderson’s motor service

Miss Anderson’s motor service

August 5, 2022

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

In 1919, at just twenty years of age, Alice Anderson founded Victoria’s first all female motor garage. Her vision, as she would later tell magazine ‘Woman’s World’, was ‘to turn a trade into a profession for women.’

New Idea turns 120

New Idea turns 120

August 1, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:

On 1 August 1902, a magazine called ‘New Idea’ was published for the first time. Its aim was ‘to present the newest ideas continually arising in every branch of a woman’s life and interest.’

Neon magic!

Neon magic!

July 28, 2022

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

There is something magical about the sight of neon against the backdrop of an evening sky. Whilst neon signs have fallen out of favour in recent years, many of those remaining have achieved iconic status. We look back at some of the highlights.

Captain Kenney’s bathing ship

Captain Kenney’s bathing ship

February 6, 2022

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

There were several ‘sea baths’ at St Kilda in the 19th century, but none were more famous than Captain Kenney’s bathing ship, the Nancy.

Australia’s own car

Australia’s own car

November 25, 2021

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

On 29 November, 1948, the first Holden motor car was unveiled at General Motors Holden (GMH). The launch of the Holden was a watershed moment for the nation: it represented the first time a motor vehicle had been wholly built in Australia.

Victoria through the ages: the boom years

Victoria through the ages: the boom years

September 16, 2021

Collection spotlights:

In the 1880s, Victoria experienced an unprecedented property bubble. When it eventually burst, it left the economy in tatters.

Read all about it!

Read all about it!

August 30, 2021

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Victorian history:

From as far back as the 1850s, newsboys were a common sight on the streets of Melbourne. Most were poor and many were illiterate. But they were not without their friends and allies…

Canvas Town: ‘a floating city, devoured by the sun’

Canvas Town: ‘a floating city, devoured by the sun’

March 31, 2021

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

It was November, 1852, when almost overnight, a strange sight sprang up, near Princes Bridge, in Melbourne. Canvas Town, as it came to be known, was a large tent city, set up to accommodate people on their way to the goldfields…

Melbourne’s first newspaper

Melbourne’s first newspaper

January 1, 2021

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:

On New Year’s Day, 1838, pioneer John Pascoe Fawkner published Melbourne’s first newspaper. Printing presses were scarce in the colony, so Fawkner handwrote the newspaper himself…