A nation of immigrants
Learn about the history of immigration in Australia, from the First Fleet and the Gold Rush to WWI and the White Australia policy.
Fighting Jack: Melbourne’s first boxing kangaroo
Social life & customs, Such was life:
What are the origins of our national sporting symbol, the boxing kangaroo?
John Marsden awarded Dromkeen Medal for children’s literature
John Marsden has received the 2018 Dromkeen medal for his enduring passion for and contribution to Australian children’s literature and children’s education. Find out which books were important to him as a child.
![Lyric, [2017]](https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/opera-people-120x120.png)
New listening in Arts: holiday selections
Film, Music, Popular music, Rare Books & Arts:
Find out what’s new on the listening post in the Arts reading room. We’re featuring a holiday season selection of festive, popular, opera and film music on CD.
The Myer Christmas windows
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.
Illustrated children’s books: Willy Pogany (1882-1955)
Willy Pogany (born Vilmos Andras Pogany) was a prolific contributor during the Golden Age of children’s book illustration, whose career broadened from children’s book illustration to portraiture and set designs for opera and ballet.
2018 in eresources
Take a look back at the 2018 additions to the Library’s eresources collection, as well as the most popular eresources for the year. Registered Victorian State Library members can access over 267,969 full text eresources – many from home.
Jessie Traill: An artist at war
During World War I Jessie Traill spent five years serving as a British Voluntary Aid Detachment. Her war experience is recorded through photographs, sketches, written accounts and letters to friends.
![[Victoria Hotel, Colac] H96.200/1498](https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Victoria-Hotel-Colac-photo-120x120.png)
Attention all descendants of country publicans
Family matters, People & professions:
Great news for family historians with publican ancestors – the index to the Robert K Cole Victorian hotels collection (1841-1949) has been expanded, with a total of over 37,000 entries now searchable online!
H.G. Wells in Australia
Arts & literature, Such was life:
In January 1939, HG Wells visited Australia and raised the ire of the Australian Prime Minister Joseph Lyons. His visit was brief, controversial and created international news.
Such was life
Arts
‘It really belongs to you people anyway…’: The story of Ken Pound
To celebrate the Children’s Book Council of Australia Week, we pay tribute to the life of children’s literature collector, Ken Pound, and the collection he has left for us all.
