Such was life

Reconnecting with ‘The silver brumby’

Reconnecting with ‘The silver brumby’

April 2, 2025

Ask a librarian, Cities & towns, Such was life, Victorian history:

Librarian Daniel Giddens reconnects with one of his favourite children’s stories, ‘The silver brumby’, sharing what makes it so special to him, as well as exploring the background of its author, and the history and significance of its publication.

Think globally, act locally: feminist posters by Australian women artists from 1970s-1990s

Think globally, act locally: feminist posters by Australian women artists from 1970s-1990s

March 27, 2025

Such was life, Visual arts:

The feminist resurgence in the period 1960-1990, referred to as second wave feminism, had a significant impact on the art world. Political graphics were no exception. This blog explores the State Library’s rich and extensive holdings of feminist posters by women artists from Melbourne’s alternative poster collectives.

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

Social life & customs, Victorian history:

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

A passion for adventure: Agatha Christie in Victoria

A passion for adventure: Agatha Christie in Victoria

January 13, 2025

Arts & literature:

In 1922 Agatha Christie accompanied her husband on an around the world tour to promote the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. On her travels, she spent 10 days in Victoria- find out what she thought…

A ghost story for Christmas

A ghost story for Christmas

December 23, 2024

Arts & literature, Our stories, Social life & customs, Victorian history:

Colonial Australians have always battled to bring British and European traditions to the Christmas season. Roast meat and gravy, puddings and finery can still be found at many Christmas events. What is less likely to be found is the curious tradition of the Christmas Eve ghost story.

Melbourne Out Loud: The photography of Rennie Ellis

Melbourne Out Loud: The photography of Rennie Ellis

December 17, 2024

Ask a librarian, Exhibitions, Our stories, Social life & customs:

The Melbourne Out Loud exhibition celebrates and showcases the life and work of Victorian photographer Rennie Ellis. Ellis’ photography documented a spectrum of Australian culture and life from the 1960s onwards. Here we explore the exhibition themes and showcase some favourite images.

Greater love hath no man. 90 years of the Shrine

Greater love hath no man. 90 years of the Shrine

November 10, 2024

Ask a librarian, Buildings & streets, Victorian history:

The eleventh hour, the eleventh day, the eleventh month. Every year at this exact time we remember those who gave us the greatest gift: freedom. On November 11, 2024 the Shrine of Remembrance will commemorate it’s 90th anniversary.

Melbourne’s Marvellous Madame Weigel

Melbourne’s Marvellous Madame Weigel

October 21, 2024

Collections, People & professions, Such was life, Victorian history:

Madame Weigel’s Journal of Fashion became a staple of Australian life for those interested in being well dressed, well presented, and well informed. This treasure trove has recently been digitised and made available online.

Mary Fortune: pioneer of Australian detective stories

Mary Fortune: pioneer of Australian detective stories

October 15, 2024

Arts & literature, Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

Mary Fortune was the author of the longest running 19th-century crime fiction series published in a periodical and one of the earliest female crime writers in the world.

Digitised dogs

Digitised dogs

August 26, 2024

Collection, Such was life:

Celebrating this much loved (and digitised) species on International Dog Day.