Articles by: Sarah Matthews

Guide Alice

Guide Alice

April 18, 2016

People & professions, Such was life:

Alice Manfield, or ‘Guide Alice’ as she came to be known, had a strange, romantic childhood on Mount Buffalo. She grew up to become a talented naturalist, photographer and writer, as well as an unlikely feminist figure.

The little blue building

The little blue building

December 4, 2015

Buildings & streets, Such was life:

There’s a little blue building outside Flinders Street Station. ‘When was it built?’, a curious library patron asked. The question led me to some interesting research involving milk cans, viaduct vaults and bananas.

Slums of Melbourne

Slums of Melbourne

August 6, 2015

Social life & customs, Such was life:

As far back as the 1850s, slums existed in inner city Melbourne. In the 1930s, Frederick Barnett began taking photos of the slums, using them in a push for social reform.

A Melbourne love affair

A Melbourne love affair

May 19, 2015

Social life & customs, Such was life:

Melbourne’s love affair with coffee has been long-term, passionate, and sometimes controversial.