Country tennis in Victoria
The Australian Open came via courts in paddocks in rural towns and coastal getaways, built to attract tourists, inspire social events and to hold tournaments.
Sporting days – how to research your sporting ancestors
Family matters, Research tips & tricks:
Sport is a huge part of community life and sporting club records can provide another dimension to your family history. They can help to locate a person in a place,… Read More ›
The All England 11 and the birth of Australian cricket
In 1861 the great tradition of England and Australian cricket contests commenced when the first English team arrived in Australia.
There’s more to the roll! Part 2. Commonwealth electoral rolls, post-federation years
Family matters, Research tips & tricks:
Federal electoral rolls are used extensively by family historians, helping us to piece together the lives of our families. But sometimes our forebears are not listed on these rolls –… Read More ›
There’s more to the roll! Part 1. Victorian electoral rolls, pre-federation years
Family matters, Research tips & tricks:
Australian electoral rolls contain minimal information, yet they are one of the most valuable and frequently used resources by family historians, who use them extensively to trace the whereabouts of people over… Read More ›
The scientists and the cricket match
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Victorian history:
In March 1874, Melbourne played host to an unusual cricket match, featuring some of the most pre-eminent marine biologists in the world.
Melbourne’s first newspaper
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:
On New Year’s Day, 1838, pioneer John Pascoe Fawkner published Melbourne’s first newspaper. Printing presses were scarce in the colony, so Fawkner handwrote the newspaper himself…
Bushfires: protecting your treasures
Collection Care, Conservation, Preservation:
It’s bushfire season again. How can you reduce the risk of loss of treasured objects before a disaster and what sort of salvage strategies can you use to recover them? If you live in an area where bushfire is an all too real possibility, it’s never too soon to start planning for their preservation.
Carols by Candlelight
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Victorian history:
This cherished Aussie Christmas institution is now in its 87th year, and still bringing people together across the nation.
Conservation rejuvenates ‘Constitution Hill at Sun set’
Collection Care, Conservation:
During the Library closure, Collection Care had the opportunity of attending to the conservation treatment of one of the Library’s iconic paintings, Constitution Hill by colonial artist John Glover. Recent conservation treatment has transformed its appearance and inspired a new appreciation of this important work.
Such was life
Feasts of Christmas past
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
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.
