Our stories

Medieval lives: Working women in English society, 1300–1500

Medieval lives: Working women in English society, 1300–1500

March 29, 2019

Our stories, People & professions:

Until the late 20th century, the important role played by medieval women in the peasant household was largely ignored by historians.

Women changing the world, part three: Physical autonomy

Women changing the world, part three: Physical autonomy

March 28, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories, Politics, Social life & customs:

In the third and final part of our exploration of works by women that have changed our world, we focus on women’s reproductive rights.

Women changing the world, part two: political equality

Women changing the world, part two: political equality

March 20, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories, Politics, Social life & customs:

Campaigns to secure the right to vote for women helped progress women’s political equality. Discover the ground-breaking women leading the charge through the rare books in this ‘World of the book’ display.

Melbourne’s lost department stores

Melbourne’s lost department stores

March 6, 2019

Buildings & streets, Our stories, Social life & customs:

Melbourne and shopping have been hand in glove since the 1880s, and at its peak the city flaunted more than a dozen department stores.

Precious correspondence from Australian feminist, writer and poet Mary Fullerton

Precious correspondence from Australian feminist, writer and poet Mary Fullerton

March 4, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories:

Within the papers of a Victorian farmer from Beaconsfield, are a series of letters from his aunt, Mary Fullerton, an Australian author and a vocal member of the women’s suffrage movement.

Women changing the world, part one: intellectual equality

Women changing the world, part one: intellectual equality

March 4, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories, Politics, Social life & customs:

Explore the history of the struggle for women’s equality – intellectual, political, and physical – in this three-part series.

A determined dreamer: the life and art of Phyl Waterhouse

A determined dreamer: the life and art of Phyl Waterhouse

March 4, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories:

A prolific artist, Phyl Waterhouse is represented in the collections of most major Australian galleries, although she arguably did not receive sufficient critical attention in her lifetime.

‘Here for you’: a new original artwork

‘Here for you’: a new original artwork

February 20, 2019

Our stories:

The Library forecourt has been the backdrop for 163 years of social change. Now it is emblazoned with the faces of influential change-makers from Australia’s history.

A love story in the archives

A love story in the archives

February 12, 2019

Our stories:

Letters from the Victorian goldfields reveal a love story, filled with dramatic highs and lows.

Women in science at the Library

Women in science at the Library

February 11, 2019

Collection Care, Conservation, Our stories:

Believe it or not, science is a vital part of the State Library’s day-to-day operations. In the Library’s Preservation and Conservation department we celebrate 16 brilliant women of science.