Political and union badges
The Library’s Riley and Ephemera Collection houses ephemera from a wide range of Victorian political and community organisations, including their badges (otherwise known as buttons or pins).
Such was life
Fire fighting in Victoria
People & professions, Such was life:
The first fire in Melbourne, after European settlement, is believed to have occurred in Melbourne’s first gaol in 1838. The incident was later depicted in watercolour by WFE Liardet in 1875.
Australia’s first state funeral
People & professions, Such was life:
One hundred and fifty years ago Melbourne came to a standstill for the funeral procession of Robert O’Hara Burke (1821-1861) and William John Wills (1834-1861).
Fire claims Carngham Station again
Buildings & streets, Such was life:
On Tuesday 8 January, the historic Carngham Station Homestead was destroyed by bushfire. Sadly, Carngham Station is no stranger to fire. The original homestead burnt down in 1918, the cause… Read More ›
Ned Kelly at the cinema
People & professions, Such was life:
The world’s first feature film, The Story of the Kelly Gang, premiered at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre on 26 December 1906, twenty-six years after Ned was hanged.
Christmas and the Ashes
One of world sport’s most famous trophies, cricket’s Ashes urn, was presented for the first time on 24 December 1882.
‘Death ballots’: Australia’s World War I conscription referendums
On 28 October 1916 the first of two controversial conscription referendums was held in Australia. Military training for men between 18 and 60 had been compulsory since 1911, but the… Read More ›
18 years old and in charge of the ship
People & professions, Such was life:
The British barque Trafalgar docked at Williamstown on 16 December 1893 after a harrowing voyage. Several of the senior officers had died from fever on the journey, and the charge… Read More ›
Pioneer portraits
People & professions, Such was life:
Born in London, Thomas Chuck came to Melbourne in 1863 and opened a photography studio in Royal Arcade, Collins Street.
A Koori protest against the Nazis
Kristallachnacht (also known as ‘The night of broken glass’, 9-10 November 1938) was a major escalation in the persecution of the Jews in Germany by the Nazi government. Nearly 100… Read More ›
