Find your ancestors in archives

August 2, 2010

Family history events, Family matters:

The range of records available for family history research in state and national archives is extraordinary!  Talks from different government archives during this years Family History Feast provided a terrific… Read More ›

Embrace the mystery in your family history

August 2, 2010

Family history events, Family matters:

Family history is fundamentally about the stories of your ancestors. In his talk as part of the annual Family History Feast, Philip Theil, Coordinator of the Discovery Centre at Museum… Read More ›

Vintage TV magic

Vintage TV magic

July 30, 2010

Rare Books & Arts, Television:

Elegant tuxedos, droll patter and effortless prestidigitation abound in a series of dvds from the Miracle Factory, celebrating magic in the early days of television.   Early TV Magic Among… Read More ›

Sound Beam – Sir Charles Mackerras Tribute.

Sound Beam – Sir Charles Mackerras Tribute.

July 29, 2010

Music, Rare Books & Arts:

Sound Beam currently features two recordings in tribute to the great Australian conductor, Sir Charles Mackerras, who recently passed away, aged 84. They include works by composers he was often… Read More ›

The dark side of country

The dark side of country

July 28, 2010

Music, Rare Books & Arts:

As a part of the Outside-in Cinema screenings in Experimedia here at the Library, on Wednesday 28th July at 6:30pm you can catch the recent documentary on legendary singer-songwriter Townes Van… Read More ›

National Family History Week 30 July – 8 August 2010

July 28, 2010

Family history events, Family matters:

Join in the “fun and excitement of National Family History Week” held Australia -wide in the first week of August annually. There are more than 30 events listed for Victoria… Read More ›

New on Ancestry Library Edition

July 26, 2010

Family matters, Websites:

Ancestry have added a number of interesting new databases to their website recently. Of most interest to Australian researchers are the following new birth, death and marriage indexes: Australia Birth… Read More ›

Library Digital Storytelling Workshop -Special offer!

July 23, 2010

Family matters, Training:

  From family trees to stories of how a family has grown and changed, it’s important not to lose that information. Come to our digital storytelling workshop where you can… Read More ›

Zombies, censorship and forbidden films

Zombies, censorship and forbidden films

July 22, 2010

Film, Rare Books & Arts:

The latest offering by renowned gay filmmaker (aka. art-pornographer) Bruce LaBruce, L.A. Zombie, has recently been banned from showing at the Melbourne International Film Festival this year. This is the first… Read More ›

Family History Feast 2 August 2010 Booked Out!

July 22, 2010

Family history events, Family matters:

The annual Family History Feast to be held at the State Library on Monday 2 August 2010 from 10am to 4pm is now totally booked out! A podcast of the… Read More ›

Such was life

Feasts of Christmas past

Feasts of Christmas past

December 15, 2025 0 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.