La Fille Mal Gardee : Ballet Screening

La Fille Mal Gardee : Ballet Screening

October 26, 2011

Dance, Rare Books & Arts:

La Fille Mal Gardee : a ballet in three acts is the next program in the Music and Dance on Film series to be screened this Wednesday 26 October in Arts.… Read More ›

Tales of wonder, love and daring…the story of your family

Tales of wonder, love and daring…the story of your family

October 25, 2011

Family matters, Research tips & tricks:

Family history can be so much more than a list of names and dates. Dedicated genealogists with an interest in the background story of their families often find themselves doing… Read More ›

I am a camera

I am a camera

October 23, 2011

New books, Photography, Rare Books & Arts:

Even in its earliest days when it was often seen as a “mere mechanical” process, photography was producing images of startling artistry and sophistication, as well as capturing worlds that were… Read More ›

Discover the wonders of Victoria’s past …

Discover the wonders of Victoria’s past …

October 21, 2011

Family history events, Family matters:

In 2011 Victorian History Week will be held from Sunday 23 to Sunday 30 October – a week of walking tours, exhibitions, talks and much more, all relating to this State’s history. Check… Read More ›

Let me entertain you!

Let me entertain you!

October 19, 2011

Music, New books, Performing Arts, Rare Books & Arts:

 They called him Al : the musical life of Al Bowlly by Ray Pallett Al Bowlly’s name is emerging from the shadows as reissued recordings show him to have been one of the loveliest vocalists… Read More ›

Cup day closure

Cup day closure

October 19, 2011

Announcements, News, Opening hours:

The Library will be closed on Tuesday 1 November due to the Melbourne Cup public holiday. Readings bookshop and Mr Tulk cafe will also be closed.

New CDs & DVDs in Arts

New CDs & DVDs in Arts

October 16, 2011

Music, Rare Books & Arts:

New CDs arriving into the collection include some titles from the Classic Film Scores series such as Casablanca, Gone With the Wind and Sunset Boulevard.  Music superstars also feature with teen pop sensation,… Read More ›

New to Ancestry Library Edition

October 13, 2011

Collections, Family matters, New to the collection, Websites:

Ancestry have added a number of interesting records to their database recently. The Australian Electoral Rolls database has been updated to include years ranging from 1903 – 1980 (previously only… Read More ›

A festival of festivals

A festival of festivals

October 12, 2011

Rare Books & Arts:

It’s Melbourne Festival time again and as the CBD is taken over by gigantic demonic (and angelic) babies, as well as other assorted festival paraphenalia, I thought that we’d have a… Read More ›

Three Tenors Concert Screening

Three Tenors Concert Screening

October 11, 2011

Music, Rare Books & Arts:

The Original Three Tenors Concert : Carreras, Domingo & Pavarotti, is the next program in the Music and Dance on Film series to be screened this Wednesday 12 October in Arts. This… Read More ›

Such was life

The sky is the limit: pioneering aviator Freda Thompson

The sky is the limit: pioneering aviator Freda Thompson

April 15, 2026 0 comments

In 1934, Australian aviator, Freda Thompson, made history as the first Australian woman to fly solo from England to Australia. Thompson was a pioneer who believed the sky was the limit – she wanted to reach that limit, to feel the adrenaline, to just fly.

Arts

Photographic portrait by Richard Beck of Ailsa O’Connor (1921-1980), political activist, painter, sculptor, author and teacher.

Ailsa O’Connor: highlights of a life of socialist activism, feminism and art

March 23, 2026 9 comments

Ailsa O’Connor (1921-1980) was a political activist, painter, sculptor, author and teacher. Throughout her art career she was a member of the Communist Party and associated with the Socialist Realist Group.