Social life & customs

Telling time in early Melbourne

Telling time in early Melbourne

May 29, 2013

Social life & customs, Such was life:

In 1853 Melbourne was developing rapidly and the need for consistent, accurate time across the burgeoning colony saw the first observatory built in Williamstown. Time was communicated… ‘by dropping a… Read More ›

Melbourne’s feral dogs

Melbourne’s feral dogs

May 2, 2013

Social life & customs, Such was life:

In the 1840s and 50s, Melbourne had an unregistered dog problem. Initially the stray dogs were only a nuisance, but they soon became aggressive and threatened the safety of Melburnians.

Melbourne’s bohemians

Melbourne’s bohemians

March 19, 2013

Social life & customs, Such was life:

Bohemian: noun 1. a person with artistic or intellectual tendencies or pretensions who lives and acts without regard for conventional rules of behaviour (Macquarie dictionary online).

Secret histories of queer Melbourne

Secret histories of queer Melbourne

December 4, 2012

Social life & customs, Such was life:

This new publication from the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives is an eye-opening and immensely readable introduction to Melbourne’s queer scenes, both private and public.

The Argus newspaper in colour

The Argus newspaper in colour

November 13, 2012

Social life & customs, Such was life:

On Monday 28 July 1952, the Melbourne Argus became the first newspaper in the world to print a high-speed action news picture in full colour. In what was a technological… Read More ›