Courting in the colony: finding a partner in 19th-century Australia
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?
Social life & customs
A ghost story for Christmas
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
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.
Nineteenth century Victorians
Photography, Social life & customs, Such was life:
The Etkins collection consists of wonderful portraits of people and places throughout 19th century Victoria.
The Garden Gazette and more – new in our popular digitised collections
Collection spotlights, Social life & customs, Uncategorized:
Explore this collection of newly digitised gardening and horticulture periodicals of the early 20th century.
Online Collection Spotlight: Travel Writing, Spectacle and World History
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Social life & customs, Uncategorized:
What were the conditions like on the Trans-Siberian railway for women in the 1930s? Which American city was most like Melbourne in the 50s? And does anyone know what to wear to dinner when traveling first-class by ship? Learn about travel writing, but from a uniquely female perspective in the Travel Writing, Spectacle and World History database.
Victoria’s Intercolonial exhibition, 1866
Social life & customs, Such was life, Victorian history:
The nineteenth century was the great age of exhibitions as industrialisation, colonialism and nationhood led to national and international display and celebration. In 1866 the Great Exhibition Hall was built behind Ian Potter Queen’s Hall to host the Intercolonial Exhibition.
Cheap holiday fares… advertising posters of the Victorian Railways
Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Social life & customs, Victorian history:
Let’s take a look at a selection of advertising posters used by the Victorian Railways in the 1930s and 1940s
‘Listen … quick. It’s Mr Whippy!’
Ask a librarian, Social life & customs, Such was life, Victorian history:
There are few sounds as synonymous with the beginning of summer as the strains of a Mr Whippy van floating on the breeze. But who was Mr Whippy really, and how did he get his start in Australia?
Wilsons Promontory – treasure trove and haven
Ask a librarian, Social life & customs, Victorian history:
Wilson’s Prom is a much loved holiday destination. Surrounding visitors with the natural world, a treasure trove and a haven.
