How our ‘genies’ saved the census

How our ‘genies’ saved the census

July 29, 2024

Ask a librarian, Family matters, Our stories, Victorian history:

Researchers visiting the Library are often dismayed when they discover that prior to 2001, there are no surviving census returns for individuals in the Colony of Victoria. What were the reasons behind the destruction of our census records? And how did our ‘genies’ save the day?

Wycheproof: heart of Victoria’s wheat belt

Wycheproof: heart of Victoria’s wheat belt

July 26, 2024

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

Wycheproof is a tiny Wimmera town set amid wheat fields and flat plains. It’s famous for the railway line running down the middle of the main street. Mount Wycheproof, the lowest mountain in the world, rises above the town. Wycheproof is no stranger to flood and drought. Join us to learn more.

Central map showing streets and allotments, surrounded by text. The text says there are 45 allotments, trains every ten minutes, and that the deposit required is ten pounds. Dalley’s Orchard (Riversdale Road, Henrietta Street and Marian Street), 1884

Online collection spotlight: Batten and Percy Auction Plans

July 19, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

As Melbourne began to be subdividen in the late nineteenth century, real estate agents produced maps and advertisements to advertise these land sales. In this blog post we take a closer look at these digitised plans and the sort of information they can reveal.

Houdini visits Australia

Houdini visits Australia

July 12, 2024

Arts & literature, Such was life:

Houdini remains one of the world’s most famous entertainers. He toured Australia in 1910, performing his feats of escapology in Melbourne and Sydney, diving into the Yarra handcuffed and chained, completing the first powered flight in Australia, and becoming embroiled in a dispute with world champion boxer Tommy Burns about the proprietorship of the milk can escape.

Pro Feminis a Feminis: Dr Constance Stone and her hospital ‘for women, run by women’

Pro Feminis a Feminis: Dr Constance Stone and her hospital ‘for women, run by women’

July 5, 2024

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

On the 125th anniversary of its opening, we take a look at the story of the Queen Victoria Hospital for Women and its founder, Constance Stone – the first woman to be registered as a doctor in Australia.

Trapped in the snow: Alpine huts and the story of Cleve Cole

Trapped in the snow: Alpine huts and the story of Cleve Cole

June 28, 2024

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

From as early as 1860, cattlemen built huts on Victoria’s high plain to protect themselves from the elements. In 1937 the Cleve Cole memorial hut was built to honour a lost Victorian skiing pioneer. Read on to discover this piece of Victoria’s alpine history.

Online Collection Spotlight: the Analysis & Policy Observatory (APO)

Online Collection Spotlight: the Analysis & Policy Observatory (APO)

June 22, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

The Analysis & Policy Observatory draws together high level research reports across public policy ranging from science and technology, the natural and built environment, to health, education and social issues.

Our favourite State Library spaces

Our favourite State Library spaces

June 19, 2024

Ask a librarian, Our stories:

Our librarians share what they love about their favourite spaces at State Library Victoria.

Snaps and stories: photo albums

Snaps and stories: photo albums

June 14, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Covering a myriad of experiences – these albums range from the European grand tour, to the snaps, taken over many years recording working lives – places and faces; flower and vegetable gardens, and much loved pets.

Online Collection Spotlight – Refugees, Relief and Resettlement: Forced Migration and World War II

Online Collection Spotlight – Refugees, Relief and Resettlement: Forced Migration and World War II

May 17, 2024

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

Discover some of the official history of displaced persons and refugees in the post World War 2 period.

Such was life

Courting in the colony: finding a partner in 19th-century Australia

Courting in the colony: finding a partner in 19th-century Australia

February 13, 2025 2 comments

The course of true love never did run smooth, but what was it like finding love in early colonial Australia?

Arts

Victoria’s State Artist: Harold Freedman

Victoria’s State Artist: Harold Freedman

December 10, 2024 4 comments

Cavalacde of Transport, The Story of Fire and The history of Australian thoroughbred racing are some of Melbourne’s largest and most seen artworks. These were from the hands of Harold Freedman, locally born and bred, whose exploration of monumental art came later in his life.