Such was life

Women changing the world, part three: Physical autonomy

Women changing the world, part three: Physical autonomy

March 28, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories, Politics, Social life & customs:

In the third and final part of our exploration of works by women that have changed our world, we focus on women’s reproductive rights.

A darkroom on wheels

A darkroom on wheels

March 27, 2019

Cities & towns, Such was life:

An itinerant immigrant from Scotland took some fascinating photos of the Western District in the 1850s.

Elizabeth Batman's doll

Elizabeth Batman’s doll

March 20, 2019

Social life & customs, Such was life:

Elizabeth Batman’s doll is a fascinating relic from the earliest days of Melbourne.

Women changing the world, part two: political equality

Women changing the world, part two: political equality

March 20, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories, Politics, Social life & customs:

Campaigns to secure the right to vote for women helped progress women’s political equality. Discover the ground-breaking women leading the charge through the rare books in this ‘World of the book’ display.

Melbourne’s lost department stores

Melbourne’s lost department stores

March 6, 2019

Buildings & streets, Our stories, Social life & customs:

Melbourne and shopping have been hand in glove since the 1880s, and at its peak the city flaunted more than a dozen department stores.

Precious correspondence from Australian feminist, writer and poet Mary Fullerton

Precious correspondence from Australian feminist, writer and poet Mary Fullerton

March 4, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories:

Within the papers of a Victorian farmer from Beaconsfield, are a series of letters from his aunt, Mary Fullerton, an Australian author and a vocal member of the women’s suffrage movement.

Women changing the world, part one: intellectual equality

Women changing the world, part one: intellectual equality

March 4, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories, Politics, Social life & customs:

Explore the history of the struggle for women’s equality – intellectual, political, and physical – in this three-part series.

A determined dreamer: the life and art of Phyl Waterhouse

A determined dreamer: the life and art of Phyl Waterhouse

March 4, 2019

Arts & literature, Our stories:

A prolific artist, Phyl Waterhouse is represented in the collections of most major Australian galleries, although she arguably did not receive sufficient critical attention in her lifetime.

Miss Talbot’s gift

Miss Talbot’s gift

February 6, 2019

Arts & literature, Such was life:

In 1937 the Library received 24 original works by William Henry Fox Talbot, one of the inventors of photography.

New Gold Mountain

New Gold Mountain

January 29, 2019

Our stories, People & professions:

For the Chinese immigrants who flocked to Victorian goldfields in the 1850s, the journey began in Canton or Hong Kong and included several months at sea before arriving in Victoria, or ‘New Gold Mountain’.