Gotcha! Concrete Prints from the McEwans Celebrity Pavement
2024-04-17 09:00 - 2024-08-16 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | City Gallery, 110 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Who remembers the McEwans celebrity pavement?
Between 1972 and 1994, scores of celebrities had their hand- and footprints immortalised in cement at the entrance of the McEwans hardware store in Bourke Street. Shopping for a hammer or a hair-dryer, you’d step in the prints of actors, musicians, sportspeople, writers, dancers, politicians, an astronaut, a racehorse – even an operatic dog.
Curated by Robyn Annear, ‘Gotcha!’ presents 40 of the surviving prints from the McEwans pavement, together with stories of the celebrities who made them and newspaper images that capture the mood of the times.
Note: enter City Gallery via Customer Relations
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm

The Great Orange Peel Panic: and other stories from Melbourne
2024-06-11 18:30 - 19:30 | 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC 3181, 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia
🍊 The Great Orange Peel Panic: and other stories from Melbourne
Did you know around the 1860’s civic reprobates who discarded orange peel in the streets of Melbourne, risked life and limb? Apparently new flagstone paving stones, combined with discarded orange peels, were a serious hazard. Oranges were a popular snack at the time and peel littered the pavements, with women blamed by the newspapers as the ‘chief strewers of peel’.
Join us as Robyn Annear talks about this story and more from her new book Corners of Melbourne. Robyn is an author who…’tackles her sprawling subject matter with her trademark wit and her knack for singling out the perfect historical reference.’ Age
This is a joint event with Family History Connections. Bookings are essential with a gold coin for entry.

Out of the Straight-Jacket: the art of anti-colonial history
2024-06-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
PROFESSIONAL HISTORIANS AUSTRALIA PROUDLY INVITES YOU TO THE 2024 WILSON HISTORY ORATION
Out of the Straight-Jacket: the art of anti-colonial history
An oration by Dr Rachel Buchanan
From swamp to chateau to the House of Lords, as Dr Rachel Buchanan researched the wild, globetrotting journey of five magnificent 17th century carvings made by ancestors in Taranaki, she also received an education in the art of anti-colonial history. Through wānanga and discussions with the Hon. Mahara Okeroa and other mentors, Rachel learned how to escape the straight-jacket of historical facts and write a story that is closer to the truth of ongoing tino rangatiratanga – or sovereignty – for Taranaki.
About Rachel:
Dr Rachel Buchanan (Taranaki, Te Ātiawa) is a Māori historian who is a manuhiri (guest) on Bunurong land in Naarm-Melbourne. Rachel’s most recent book, Te Motunui Epa, was a co-winner of the 2023 Ernest Scott Prize for History for distinguished historical writing that contributes to the history of Australia or New Zealand, and the 2023 W H Oliver Prize for the best book on any aspect of New Zealand history.
About the Wilson History Oration:
The Wilson History Oration was established in memory of Dr Bill Wilson OAM (1942-2021). After retiring from a career in law enforcement, Bill forged a new career as a historian with an unwavering commitment to the PHA. Every year, PHA invite an eminent historian in their field to present the Wilson History Oration to PHA members across Australia.
Date: Thursday 13 June 2024,
Time: 6pm-7pm,
Where: online
This event is free to all. Register to receive the Zoom link.
Click here to register

'Watandar, My Countryman' screening
2024-06-17 18:00 - 19:30, 2024-06-18 11:00 - 12:30 | Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Ave, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
Join us at the Shrine for a screening of the heart-warming and eye-opening documentary film, Watandar, My Countryman.
The documentary follows photographer and Human Rights Activist Muzafar Ali, who in 2015 resettled in Australia and became the first in five generations of his family to no longer be a refugee. When he discovers that Afghans have been in Australia for 160 years, he’s compelled to photograph and document the stories of their descendants.
Then, on 15 August 2021, the Taliban take over Afghanistan. With his homeland lost, he’s driven to help and reaches out to his former colleagues, whose lives are in danger. He tries to help them escape, but he also knows that millions will be left behind and he must do everything he can to keep their hope alive. His photography project becomes an even more personal journey as he recognises, in the Descendants, his own search for a new Afghan-Australian identity.
After the screening, there will be a Q&A with Muzafar Ali and writer, director and producer, Jolyon Hoff

Stories from ASIO’s files
2024-06-18 18:30 - 19:30 | 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC 3181, 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia
🕵🏽 Stories from ASIO’s files
Step into the clandestine world of intrigue and mystery! Unveil the enigmatic lives of a doctor, a teacher, a gardener, and an undercover operative, as Patrick, the Assistant State Manager of Victoria at NAA, unravels a riveting tale straight from ASIO’s secretive archives. These seemingly ordinary individuals possessed secrets that caught the eye of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Who were they, really? What compelled ASIO to track their every move? Join us on a thrilling journey through covert operations and concealed identities.
Image NAA: A432, 1963/2272
Bookings are essential with a gold coin for entry.

Our Yarra River
2024-06-19 19:30 - 21:00 | East Melbourne Library, 122 George St, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
East Melbourne Historical Society Presents “Our Yarra River”
Presenter: Ian Penrose
Ian is a former senior executive in the coal mining and gas industries, but after 27 years he switched his focus to the natural environment.
He headed the Victorian Government’s program to restore the Snowy River with increased flows and bankside rehabilitation. Later, as a state water commissioner, he helped manage environmental water releases into our depleted rivers and wetlands.
In 2006, he became the first Yarra Riverkeeper, leading the community’s campaign to improve the well-being and appreciation of Melbourne’s special waterway. This role (of nine years) earned him the City of Melbourne’s 2010 “Melbourne Award for contribution to the environment” and (as co-winner) Boroondara’s 2015 “Citizen of the Year” award.
In his presentation Ian will share with us what he has learnt of the Yarra’s history, and his thoughts about its future.
When: Wednesday 19 Jun 2024 – 7:30pm
Location: East Melbourne Library, 122 George Street, East Melbourne
Entry fee: Members free; non-members $5.00
tel: 0437 221 249
email: enquiries@emhs.org.au

Incinerator History Tours
2024-06-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-07-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Incinerator Gallery, 180 Holmes Road, Aberfeldie, VIC, 3045, Australia
Discover the captivating history of the Essendon incinerator on our monthly volunteer-led history tour.
Strategically located near parkland and residences, this iconic structure emerged in 1929, revolutionising waste disposal was designed by the offices of visionary architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin.
Join us as our knowledgeable guides unveil the ‘Destructor’s’ transformative journey, from waste disposal facility to council depot, to a performing arts venue and now Incinerator Gallery. Immerse yourself in the essence of Griffin’s design ethos and explore a bygone era where sanitation and aesthetics converged. Don’t miss the chance to delve into this historic gem’s narrative on our engaging monthly tours.
History Tours are presented at Incinerator Gallery and run from 11 am to 12 noon.

The Yallourn Scheme : Celebrating 100 years of Power Generation
2024-06-20 17:30 - 19:00 | RHSV Gallery Downstairs, 239 A'Beckett St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
Engineering Heritage Victoria and the RHSV present this event to celebrate the centenary of Victoria’s first baseload power station in the Latrobe Valley and the greatest single public infrastructure project the nation had seen.

Passing without fanfare or public ceremony, at midday on Sunday 15 June 1924, electricity from the new Yallourn Power Station first reached Melbourne when the State Electricity Commission switched on the high voltage transmission line linking Morwell and the Yarraville distribution terminal. The event marked the culmination of a five-year project to develop Victoria’s first baseload power station in the Latrobe Valley and the greatest single public infrastructure project the nation had seen. It was proclaimed by the press as “the cessation of Victoria’s subservience … to the coal mines of Newcastle”, and would provide the foundation for the State’s industrial, economic and social prosperity over the following decades.
This presentation will outline the key events in the development of the Yallourn Power Scheme, touching on the historic context, key engineers involved and some of the technical challenges encountered from conception through to commissioning and early operation. The talk will be illustrated by historic images from the extensive photographic collection acquired in 1993 by the Museum of Victoria from the former State Electricity Commission, prior to its disaggregation and privatisation.
Speaker:
Matthew Churchward, Senior Curator, Engineering & Transport, Museums Victoria
After originally training in mechanical engineering, Matthew Churchward has spent much of the past 35 years in the museum and heritage sector. He has held a curatorial role with Museums Victoria since 1994, working on acquisitions, collection database development, public programs, exhibitions and the creation of websites and online content.
His engineering skills have proved invaluable in overseeing the restoration and conservation of many large objects in the museum’s collection – ranging from steam engines, tractors and farm machinery to horse-drawn vehicles, motor vehicles and the Great Melbourne Telescope.
His research interests encompass Victoria’s mining, engineering and transport history – including shipping, railways, roads, bridges, ports, sewerage, water supply and electricity infrastructure.

This will be preceded by an
Open Day at PowerWorks,
Ridge Road, Morwell.
Sat 15 Jun 2024 12 noon to 3.00 pm
“Celebration of the centenary of power transmission between Yallourn and Melbourne”.
In collaboration with Energy Australia.
Housekeeping
When you book tickets you will be sent an automatic, system-generated confirmation email with your tickets. If this can’t be found in your in-box please check your Spam folder or Junk Mail folder as these system-generated emails often go astray. If you can’t find your tickets, don’t panic, we always have a list at the door.
As with most RHSV events, we will serve refreshments from 5:30pm – 6pm when the lecture starts.
The Zoom-cast will begin at 6pm.

Family History Workshops
2024-06-26 10:30 - 14:00, 2024-07-24 10:30 - 14:00 | 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC 3181, 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia
👩🏽‍👩🏽‍👦🏽‍👦🏽 Family History Workshops hosted by Wendy Eldridge from our Friends of the Library.
Do you want some guided help with your family history journey? We can help. Join a friendly and supportive environment while making use of the many resources available at the PMI Victorian History Library.
Our workshops will cover:
28 Feb – What you need to know what you Get Started
24 Apr – What Beginners should do
26 Jun – Special Guest – Heather Arnold
28 Aug – Doing your family history using Ancestry
30 Oct – Doing your family history using Ancestry / Understanding Military Records and Resources
Bookings are essential.

CURATOR'S TOUR OF MELBOURNE'S STORIED LANEWAYS WITH DAVID THOMPSON
2024-06-26 11:00 - 12:00 | RHSV Gallery Downstairs, 239 A'Beckett St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
David Thompson will take you behind the scenes of our current exhibition, Melbourne’s Storied Laneways which David curated. The exhibition was prompted by the upcoming publication of The Story of Melbourne’s Lanes: Essential but Unplanned by Weston Bate, Richard Broome, Nicole Davis, Andrew J. May, Helen Stitt which will be launched on 3rd October 2024.
We all have our favourite Melbourne laneway and curator David Thompson has chosen a handful of lanes which reveal intriguing Melbourne stories. When we think of today’s gussied-up, tourist-friendly laneways like Guilford Lane and Hosier Lane, it is hard to imagine that a mere 50 years ago the laneways were workaday places full still of small factories and light industry.
Other dates available:
28 August
25 September
9 October

CATALOGUING CLINICS 2024
2024-06-27 11:00 - 12:00 | ZOOM, Join from anywhere in the world
Join Jillian Hiscock, the RHSV Collections Manager, each month in this informative and easy-going Zoom forum on all aspects of cataloguing collections for historical societies.
Jillian has a different topic each month and is happy to be guided by those who attend as to what they would like covered in upcoming clinics. Bring your questions (no matter the topic) – this is an interactive space where questions are encouraged. The RHSV does not endorse any particular cataloguing software – we believe it is horses for courses – and Jillian will talk about issues that impact on cataloguing whether you are using cataloguing cards or software.
The one-hour clinics are free and the Zoom log-in below is used every month in 2024, however, we do ask you to register each month as this enables Jillian to send you extra material / links etc after each session.
The remaining Cataloguing Clinics in 2024 will be held at

Thu 27 Jun 11am – 12noon (AEST)
Thu 25 Jul 11am – 12noon (AEST)
Thu 22 Aug 11am – 12noon (AEST)
Thu 26 Sep 11am – 12noon (AEST)
Thu 24 Oct 11am – 12noon (AEDT)
Thu 28 Nov 11am – 12noon (AEDT)

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqcO-hqD8uH92SLyLFy8RywYTvMs4EraaZ/ics?icsToken=[REDACTED]
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82776964459?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 827 7696 4459
Passcode: [REDACTED]
If joining by phone:
One tap mobile
+61370182005,,82776964459#,,,,*[REDACTED]# Australia
+61731853730,,82776964459#,,,,*[REDACTED]# Australia
Dial by your location
• +61 3 7018 2005 Australia
• +61 7 3185 3730 Australia
• +61 8 6119 3900 Australia
• +61 8 7150 1149 Australia
• +61 2 8015 6011 Australia
Meeting ID: 827 7696 4459
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdh0GPiJW

HCV Book+Author seminar series: Science and Power in the Nineteenth-Century Tasman World
2024-06-27 18:00 - 19:00 | The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Londsale Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
In the History Council of Victoria’s third Book+Author event for the year, we will be joined by Alexandra Roginski, Melbourne-based historian, writer and heritage worker and Visiting Fellow of Deakin University, who will be discussing her fascinating new book in conversation with convenor Dr Yves Rees. Alexandra completed her PhD at the ANU in 2018 and her work focuses on ideas and practices of the body, past and present. Science and Power in the Nineteenth-Century Tasman World is Alexandra’s second book, and explores the contentious science of phrenology, which once promised insight into character and intellect through external ‘reading’ of the head. In the transforming settler-colonial landscapes of nineteenth-century Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, popular phrenologists – figures who often hailed from the margins – performed their science of touch and cranial jargon everywhere from mechanics’ institutions to public houses. In this compelling work, Alexandra Roginski recounts a history of this everyday practice, exploring how it featured in the fates of people living in, and moving through, the Tasman World.
Time/date: Thursday 27 June, 6pm-7pm
Where: The Wheeler Centre, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne CBD

BOOK HERE

The Value of Local History- Into the Future
2024-06-29 | Lilydale Lakeside Conference Centre, 1 Jarlo Drive, Lilydale, VIC, 3140, Australia
Conference held by Association of Eastern Historical Societies

Association of Eastern Historical Societies - Conference
2024-06-29 | Lilydale Lakeside Conference Centre, 1 Jarlo Drive, Lilydale, VIC, 3140, Australia
May we have our conference advertised again please?
The Value of Local History- Into the Future will be held on June 29 at Lilydale Lakeside conference centre
The all day program aims to inspire local history groups to consider ways to survive and grow in the coming years.

The Value of Local History - Into the Future 2024 Conference
2024-06-29 09:00 - 17:00 | Lilydale Lakeside Conference Centre, 1 Jarlo Drive, Lilydale, VIC, 3140, Australia
The Association of Eastern Historical Societies presents
The Value of Local History – Into the Future 2024 Conference
Saturday 29 June 2024
9am-5pm
Lilydale Lakeside Conference Centre
1 Jarlo Drive, Lilydale
Speakers include:

Bryan Kalms- Keynote
Richard Broome
Anthony McAleer
Rosalie Trioli
Janice Newton
John Peterson
Graeme Davison
Val Polley
Patrick Ferry – NAA
David Taylor – PROV
Kitty Owens – Yarra Ranges Regional Museum
Christine Barker Byrnes/Chris Byrnes – Malmsbury Historical Society
Jackie Fraser – Victorian Collections

For more information: associationofeasternhistorical@gmail.com
To book tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/CQJSC

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM: MARITIME HERITAGE MATTERS FOR THIS VAST ISLAND CONTINENT
2024-07-02 17:00 - 19:00 | RHSV Gallery Downstairs, 239 A'Beckett St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
The Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network is presenting this fascinating lecture at the RHSV.
Speaker: Daryl Karp, Australian National Maritime Museum’s Director and CEO
Ms Karp has worked in the broadcast and cultural industries for over 20 years. Prior to her appointment as Director and CEO of ANMM, she was the Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) at Old Parliament House from 2013 to 2022 establishing a strategic direction that focused on ‘the spirit of Australian democracy and the power of your voice within it’, Chair of the Council of Australasian Museum Directors from 2017 to 2021; CEO and Managing Director of Film Australia; Head of Factual Programs (Television) at the ABC; Non-Executive Director for SBS; Board member of Sydney Jewish Museum and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and is a current member of the Yindyamarra Advisory Group with Charles Sturt University.
Housekeeping
The lecture will run from 6pm until 7pm (also the timing for Zoom). Refreshments will be served in the Drill Hall from 5pm – 6pm.
This is a hybrid event, available in person and on ZOOM for those who cannot attend at the Drill Hall. The ZOOM log-in will be sent to those who RSVP 24 hours before the event.
When you book a ticket you will be sent an automatically-generated confirmation email – if this doesn’t arrive in your in-box please check your Spam or Junk Mail folder.

Zoom lecture: Gardens and land management in Western Victoria
2024-07-09 18:00 - 20:00 | ZOOM, Join from anywhere in the world
Zoom lecture: Gardens and land management in Western Victoria
Winter online zoom lecture by Dr Raymond Madden, Senior Lecturer, Anthropologist, in the School of Social Sciences, La Trobe University
James Dawson, (1806-1900), was a prominent pastoralist in the colonial history of western Victoria. In 1881 he published, ‘ Australian Aborigines: The Languages and Customs of Several Tribes of Aborigines in the Western District of Victoria’. This lecture will outline Dawson’s knowledge, respect and advocacy for Aboriginal people and his appreciation of their land management or ‘gardening’ skills. He was also a good friend of the colonial artist Eugene von Guerard, who often stayed with Dawson at his properties Kangatong and Wuurong, on his various sojourns into the western district regions. Dawson was also very aware of the imminent denuding of the Tower Hill landscape, leading to the commissioning of Guerard to capture it in his famous painting. This ties in with the spring bus trip in November.

Presented by: Victorian branch – Australian Garden History Society
Cost: $10 members AGHS, $10 Friends RBG, $15 non-members
When: 9th July, 6pm
Location: A Zoom link will be provided with reminder email before the session.
Book: at https://www.trybooking.com/CRVMG

Rare Book Week: ‘Good price, reliable recipes, great photos’
2024-07-19 11:00 - 12:00 | ZOOM, Join from anywhere in the world
Australian Women’s Weekly cookbooks and their influence on Australian food culture
Speaker: Dr Lauren Samuelsson
The Australian Women’s Weekly’scookbooks were (and still are) remarkably popular. The Weekly, Australia’s most popular women’s magazine, started publishing a range of cookbooks from the late 1930s, but it was during the 1970s when their cookbooks became incredibly popular. Many of the Weekly’s cookbooks, whether the Children’s Birthday Cake Book or the Chinese Cooking Class Cookbook, have become ‘bibles’ in the Australian kitchen. This talk will investigate how these books came to be, why they were so popular, and how they helped shape Australia’s food culture.
Presented by The Old Treasury Building
This is a ZOOM online event only
Friday 19th July, 11am – 12pm
Click here to register

This event is part of Rare Book Week.
You can access the full program here.

Rare Book Week: The Mysteries and Mayhem of Early Melbourne
2024-07-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Level 1, 188 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000, Level 1, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Speakers: Jane Sullivan and Lucy Sussex
Melbourne has always had its underbelly of crime, inspiring crime fiction detectives from Mary Fortune and Fergus Hume to Peter Temple’s ‘Jack Irish’. Join Jane, whose latest novel Murder in Punch Lane, is a thriller inspired by real events and people in 1868 Melbourne, and Lucy, who in 2025 will publish Outrageous Fortunes, a co-written biography about crime-writer Mary Fortune and her criminal son George, in a conversation about the sins and secrets of the brash young 19th century goldfields city.
Presented by Rare Books Melbourne in partnership with The Melbourne Athenaeum Library
Saturday 20th July, 12-1pm
Level 1, 188 Collins Street Melbourne
Click here to register
This event is part of Rare Book Week.
You can access the full program here.

Labassa Open Day
2024-07-21 10:30 - 16:00 | Labassa, 2 Manor Grove, Caulfield North, Victoria, 3161, Australia
Experience the complex richness of Labassa’s architectural and human history. Although more than 700 people have lived at Labassa, it has miraculously survived with most of its opulent Victorian era decoration intact.
Guided house tours and tower tours operate through out the day, and the tea room is open 10.30am to 3.30pm.
Join us for a guided tour or opt for a self-guided tour. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your intended guided tour time. Capacity will be monitored on the day.
Guided Tour Times:
11am: Interior House Tour
12pm: ‘Who’s been living in this house?’ Tour (Note: this tour goes upstairs)
1pm: Exterior tour
2pm: Interior House Tour
3pm: Interior House Tour
Tower tours:
10:45am
11.45am
12.45pm
1.45pm
2.45pm
3.45pm
The tower will be open with a limit of 12 people per tour group. Due to the tower’s narrow, steep steps visitors are advised to wear sensible shoes.
Tea room available: 10.30am – 3.30pm

Rare Book Week: Olympic Treasures in the Melbourne Cricket Club Library
2024-07-22 15:00 - 16:00 | Melbourne Cricket Ground
In September 2023, the MCC Library celebrated its 150th anniversary. To mark this milestone, 150 items were selected from the collection, to be rotated as part of a special display throughout the year. During Melbourne Rare Book Week, the chosen items will all feature the Olympic Games, to coincide with the 2024 Paris Games opening on Friday 26 July. Small groups will be given special guided access to the exhibition on three days.
Guides: David Studham and Trevor Ruddell
Monday 22, Tuesday 23 and Thursday 25 July @ 3-4pm
Level 3, Members Stand, Melbourne Cricket Ground (Entry next to Gate 2)
Presented by the Melbourne Cricket Club Library
Click here to register
This event is part of Rare Book Week.
You can access the full program here.

EPHEMERA SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA: IT’S COLD AND OLD AND RARER THAN GOLD
2024-07-23 11:00 - 12:00 | RHSV Gallery Downstairs, 239 A'Beckett St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
Bookings: https://ephemerasociety.org.au/category/whats-on/
Tony Shields has been a stamp and coin dealer since 1970. Every day he handles wonderful pieces of history and art which he researches and loves. Since childhood, he has been fascinated by the stories of Scott and Mawson in the Antarctic and has sought stamps and other items depicting the experiences of these incredible explorers. Come and share Tony’s enthusiasm and knowledge of collectables from the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, 1820-1921.

Housekeeping
This event is part of the 2024 Rare Book Week program together with the RHSV’s event, IN SEARCH OF THE LAST CONTINENT: MELBOURNE AND EARLY ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION with Andrew McConville Both events are held on Tuesday 23 July, back to back, with morning tea served between the two events from 12 noon to 12:30pm.
Both events are ‘in person’ only – there is no Zoom presentation available.
Audience members are more than welcome to bring lunch and drinks into the gallery whilst attending these events.

In Search of the Last Continent: Melbourne and early Antarctic exploration
2024-07-23 12:30 - 13:30 | RHSV Gallery Downstairs, 239 A'Beckett St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
In 1886 gentlemen from Victoria’s Royal Society and Geographical Society formed a joint Australian Antarctic Exploration Committee. With the ear of the Premier and his Agent General in London, they energetically pursued a joint whaling and scientific expedition. They came tantalising close to their goal and helped inspire the first landing and the first overwintering on the Antarctic continent. Through both published and unpublished items from the RHSV, join librarian and author Andrew McConville to explore this and other stories of early Antarctic exploration.
For 70 years powerful countries despatched expeditions to explore the south polar regions. By 1843 they had seen enough to realise that this most remote and impenetrable place offered considerable danger and no strategic or economic benefit. The great nations turned away. In the 1880s Melbourne’s men of science formed a committee to revive interest in Antarctic exploration. They canvassed the colonies and the world in attempts to raise an expedition. Ultimately unsuccessful, they did though inspire the first publicly recorded landing on the Antarctic continent by Henrik Bull and the crew of his whaling expedition. This created a sensation and led to the first overwintering on the Antarctic continent by crewman C.E. Borchgrevink’s expedition. Andrew McConville’s book, In Search of the Last Continent: Australia and Early Antarctic Exploration, outlines early Antarctic exploration and concentrates on Melbourne’s Antarctic Exploration Committee and the voyages of Bull and Borchgrevink.

Andrew McConville is a reference and research librarian at the State Library of Victoria. Andrew has a particular interest in the history of 19th century Antarctic exploration.

This event is part of the 2024 Rare Book Week program together with the Ephemera Society of Australia’s event on Antarctic ephemera which is held at the RHSV on the same day at 11am.
Morning tea will be served to those attending both events at 12 noon. Audience members are more than welcome to bring lunch and drinks into the gallery whilst attending these events.

Some Rambles with the Campbells
2024-07-23 14:00 - 15:00 | 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC 3181, 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC, 3181, Australia
Some rambles with the Campbells – The life and times of Western District pastoralist politician, and Anglican vicar, Colin Campbell (1817-1903) and his family.
This talk with Dr. Ian Clark will cover Colin Campbell and his wife Frances Campbell (née McWhirter) and their relationship with the Djabwurrung Aboriginal people of the Buangor district. Colin Campbell actively supported missionary efforts to improve the living conditions of Aboriginal people and when the Victorian government sought to introduce a system of local guardians to distribute rations and supplies to Aboriginal people in their districts and correspond with the government on their circumstances, he willingly became the local guardian in the Buangor district.
This will be an online event, so a stable internet connection is necessary. Bookings are essential.

Rare Book Week: Sands and McDougall Directories for Use and Amusement
2024-07-23 18:00 - 19:30 | East Melbourne Library, 122 George St, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
Speaker: Fiona Campbell
What are the Sands and McDougall directories? These often-massive volumes were produced from 1857 to 1974 and are an invaluable resource for local and family history research. Find out how you can access and use them for your research, and enjoy some of their more entertaining aspects, with local history librarian, Fiona Campbell.
Tuesday 23rd July, 6-7pm
Presented by City of Melbourne Libraries at East Melbourne Library
Meeting room, Level 1, 122 George Street East Melbourne
Click here to register
This event is part of Rare Book Week.
You can access the full program here.

Rare Book Week: E.W. Cole and his Book Arcade
2024-07-24 12:00 - 17:00 | State Library of Victoria, Entry 3, Village Roadshow Theatre, La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Presented by Jodi Kok
A look at the life and exploits of E.W. Cole, creator of Cole’s Funny Picture Book and owner of the famous Cole’s Book Arcade. Cole was a canny businessman, a visionary, and a true believer in everyone having the right to access books. We will take a look at some treasures from the Library’s collection to learn more about Cole himself and what was once hailed ‘the grandest bookshop in the world’.
Wednesday 24th July, Two sessions: 12:00-12:45pm and 5:00-5:45pm
Presented by State Library Victoria in the Collection Viewing room
328 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Meet at the Swanston Street Welcome Zone
Click here to register
This event is part of Rare Book Week.
You can access the full program here.

Rare Book Week: North Melbourne Ghost Signs
2024-07-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Victorian Archives Centre, 99 Shiel Street, North Melbourne, VIC, 3051, Australia
Cultural archaeology in Haunted Hotham
Speaker: Sean Reynolds
You’ve likely stumbled upon them, roaming the winding streets of North Melbourne—ghost signs, those timeworn remnants of advertisements past, keepers of tales hidden in plain sight.
Join Sean, the madcap maestro behind the Instagram cult-hit ‘Melbourne Ghost Signs’, for a night drenched in stories, histories and mysteries. Rendezvous with the Sartorial Sultan of Errol Street; gawk at the ludicrous matrimony of milk & cigarettes; and unravel the cryptic enigma of a “cultural archaeologist”.
Wednesday 24th July, 6-7pm
Presented by Public Records Office Victoria
Victorian Archives Centre, 99 Shiel Street, North Melbourne
This event will also be live-streamed.
Click here to register
This event is part of Rare Book Week.
You can access the full program here.
