Social life & customs

The Myer Christmas windows

The Myer Christmas windows

December 19, 2018

Social life & customs, Such was life:

The Myer Christmas windows hold a special place in the heart of most Melburnians. The brainchild of Fred Asmussen (1913-1974), who began his career at the Myer emporium in 1928 as a ‘wheeler’ boy, moving products from one place to another in wicker cart, the much-loved tradition is now in its 67th year.

The ancient art of bellringing

The ancient art of bellringing

October 1, 2018

Social life & customs, Such was life:

The ancient art of bellringing is harder than it looks. Bellringers require confidence and stamina, not to mention an excellent memory.

Beauty spots: from facial flaws to fashion statements

Beauty spots: from facial flaws to fashion statements

September 6, 2018

Social life & customs, Such was life, Theatre:

Under the eye or the corner of the mouth? Does the position of your beauty spot mean you are a flirt, engaged or just cheeky? Stars, pigs and horses; from the eighteenth century onward, the beauty spot has an alluring past.

Law making and breaking in colonial Victoria

Law making and breaking in colonial Victoria

March 9, 2016

People & professions, Social life & customs, Such was life:

Criminals, crime and justice in colonial Victoria!

Our women

Our women

January 24, 2016

Social life & customs, Such was life:

Our women was a magazine in the 1950s and ’60s which focused on the social issues, contributions and opinions of women in Australia.

Chess in Victoria

Chess in Victoria

December 28, 2015

Social life & customs, Such was life:

The Library’s Chess Collection reflects Victorian’s long enthusiasm for the game.

European labour stamps on Australian furniture

European labour stamps on Australian furniture

September 11, 2015

Social life & customs, Such was life:

Why did furniture made in Victoria prior to 1960 have to be stamped ‘European labour only’?

Slums of Melbourne

Slums of Melbourne

August 6, 2015

Social life & customs, Such was life:

As far back as the 1850s, slums existed in inner city Melbourne. In the 1930s, Frederick Barnett began taking photos of the slums, using them in a push for social reform.

A Melbourne love affair

A Melbourne love affair

May 19, 2015

Social life & customs, Such was life:

Melbourne’s love affair with coffee has been long-term, passionate, and sometimes controversial.

The Alan K Jordan collection of photographs

The Alan K Jordan collection of photographs

May 4, 2015

Social life & customs, Such was life:

The Library has recently digitized a collection of photographs of homeless people from the 1960s and 1970s.