Curiouser and curiouser: following Alice down that rabbit hole…..

Curiouser and curiouser: following Alice down that rabbit hole…..

March 19, 2013

Rare Books & Arts:

Children’s Research Librarian Juliet O’Conor has sent through this fascinating piece about the many curious lives of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland:   A selection of illustrated versions of Lewis… Read More ›

Melbourne’s bohemians

Melbourne’s bohemians

March 19, 2013

Social life & customs, Such was life:

Bohemian: noun 1. a person with artistic or intellectual tendencies or pretensions who lives and acts without regard for conventional rules of behaviour (Macquarie dictionary online).

New books: Dingoes, Musicals, Korean art and Kiki!

New books: Dingoes, Musicals, Korean art and Kiki!

March 15, 2013

New books, Rare Books & Arts:

Mixing up the new books a bit this week: The Hollywood film musical by Barry Keith Grant A bit like the symphony in classical music, every so often the cry… Read More ›

Augusta L Dargon and the Melbourne Irish

Augusta L Dargon and the Melbourne Irish

March 14, 2013

People & professions, Such was life:

In honour of St Patrick’s Day, Manuscripts Librarian Kevin Molloy examines a little known Irish-Australian treasure:

Community Heritage Grant applications open

March 12, 2013

Local history funding sources, Such was life:

Applications for the Australian Government’s Community Heritage Grants are now open. ‘The Community Heritage Grants (CHG) program provides grants of up to $15,000 to community organisations such as libraries, archives,… Read More ›

Why a duck? Leunig and the joys of unanswered questions

Why a duck? Leunig and the joys of unanswered questions

March 8, 2013

Rare Books & Arts, Visual arts:

Paul Dee from our Australian History and Literature collection has been getting to grips with the pleasures and charms of Michael Leunig’s unique take on life: ‘Yes but what does… Read More ›

New books in the Genealogy Centre

New books in the Genealogy Centre

March 5, 2013

Family matters, Uncategorized:

Preserving family heirlooms, making the most of your iPad, advanced genealogical research techniques, getting to grips with online resources and finding Polish records – these are the topics of some… Read More ›

Vale James Strong AO

March 5, 2013

About us, Announcements, News:

The State Library of Victoria is saddened by the news of the passing of James Strong AO.

Cobb  and Co

Cobb and Co

March 5, 2013

People & professions, Such was life:

On 30 January 1854, American businessman Freeman Cobb and three associates started a passenger coach service to Castlemaine and Bendigo.

Houdini flies in Diggers Rest

Houdini flies in Diggers Rest

March 1, 2013

Cities & towns, Such was life:

On 18 March 1910, Harry Houdini, the world famous escapologist, made what is claimed to be the first controlled powered flight in Australia.

Such was life

Feasts of Christmas past

Feasts of Christmas past

December 15, 2025 2 comments

What are your favourite festive food memories? Have you ever enjoyed Christmas Day lunch on the beach, up a mountain or aboard a ship? Do you remember pineapple glazed ham? Would you like the 100-year-old recipe for walnut stuffing? The State Library’s historic menus, cookbooks, photos and magazines trace Christmas foods from early colonial tables to the festive flavours celebrated by our diverse migrant communities. Dive in and rediscover your favourite Christmas dishes — or find inspiration for this year’s feast.

Arts

Portraits of Melbourne artists in their studios

Portraits of Melbourne artists in their studios

December 8, 2025 0 comments

John Hinds, an artist, photographer and active ROAR member from 1986 to 1992 spent time capturing artists he personally knew and the spaces that they used to create their works. His photographs captured a unique and often unseen time and place, creating an invaluable insight into the art scene in Melbourne.