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.
The everlasting influence of Jane Austen
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:
To celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday we look at how she continues to influence popular culture and explore the library’s collection of Jane Austen related material.
Getting your hands dirty with State Library Victoria
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Research tips:
The sun is shining, time to get out in the garden! There are plenty of resources at State Library Victoria to help develop your green thumb.
Such was life
The sky is the limit: pioneering aviator Freda Thompson
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
Ailsa O’Connor: highlights of a life of socialist activism, feminism and art
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.
