Articles by: Sarah Ryan

Celebrating 30,000 maps and plans digitised at the Library

Celebrating 30,000 maps and plans digitised at the Library

December 6, 2021

Collection, News:

In recognition of a recent significant milestone, we’re exploring some highlights of our substantial Maps Collection.

Nova et accvratissima totivs terrarvm orbis tabvla by Joan Blaeu, 1664

From Melbourne to the stars: 5 great maps from our collection

May 23, 2017

Our stories:

We have well over 110,000 maps in our collection— enough to carpet metropolitan Melbourne. Here are five highlights.

550+ aerial photographs go online

550+ aerial photographs go online

May 17, 2016

News:

These photographs are part of the State Aerial Survey that was produced by the Department of Crown Lands & Survey between 1945-1965.

The map that changed the world

The map that changed the world

November 17, 2015

People & professions, Such was life:

This year marks the bicentenary of the publication of the first geological map of England and Wales, laying the foundations for geological surveys across the world.

The Waler; a war horse

The Waler; a war horse

April 22, 2015

Such was life, War:

Walers became legendary with the Australian Light Horse for their feats of endurance and bravery on the battle field during WWI.

Martha Needle – Melbourne’s 19th century serial poisoner

Martha Needle – Melbourne’s 19th century serial poisoner

November 20, 2014

People & professions, Such was life:

In 1894, Martha Needle was sentenced to death for the murder of her prospective brother in law, Louis Juncken, and executed in the Old Melbourne Gaol. She was also said to have poisoned her husband Henry, their three daughters Mabel, Elsie and May, as well as attempting to murder Herman Juncken.

Romeo Street and Juliet Terrace (what’s in a name?)

Romeo Street and Juliet Terrace (what’s in a name?)

October 6, 2014

Buildings & streets, Such was life:

In the 1870s Romeo Lane and Juliet Terrace in central Melbourne were home to men and women of the night. Supposedly men would ply their trade in Romeo Lane and… Read More ›

Violet Town railway disaster

Violet Town railway disaster

July 11, 2014

Cities & towns, Such was life:

On a very hot Friday, 7 February, 1969, just after 7.00am, the Southern Aurora, Australia’s overnight express passenger train between Sydney and Melbourne, collided head-on with an Albury-bound goods train, 174km north of Melbourne. The Melbourne-bound Southern Aurora ran through the Violet Town crossing loop where it should have waited for the goods train to pass.

Cycloramas in Melbourne

Cycloramas in Melbourne

April 14, 2014

Cities & towns, Such was life:

The cyclorama emerged in the 1700s and became a popular form of entertainment at the turn of the 20th century before cinema rendered the genre obsolete.

Continental Cafe, Greville St, Prahran

Continental Cafe, Greville St, Prahran

January 8, 2014

Buildings & streets, Such was life:

The area on the eastern side of Prahran Station has a long history as a performance venue. In 1920 the famous Leggett’s Ballroom was built and became a dancing institution for decades to come. On the same site, The Continental Cafe at 134 Greville Street became a lynch pin in the Melbourne live music scene from 1993-2001.