Past Events
May 2023
From Drought-aid to Multifaceted: A History of The Country Women’s Association of Victoria
2019-2021 State President Marion Dewar talks about the beginnings of the Country Women's Association of Victoria (CWA) and its role today; touching on all levels from branch to state, to national, to South Pacific, to world connections and adds a little of her personal CWA journey. Bookings are essential with a gold coin donation for entry.
Books and Readers: An Author’s Perspective on the world of Publishing
We have the pleasure of hosting Author Stuart Kells who has written several volumes in the category of ‘books about book’ (our personal favourite being his one titled "The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders"). His most recent book is a history of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious university press, Melbourne University Publishing. He also wrote a major history of Penguin Books, ‘Penguin and the Lane Brothers’. In this PMI talk, Stuart shares stories and insights from his research and from…
July 2023
Stories are shaped by the documents that survive to tell them
📜 All stories are shaped by the documents that survive to tell them. Over the past 169 years, the Prahran Mechanics’ Institute (founded in 1854) has accumulated a collection that not only covers the history of Victoria but also contains many hidden gems. Come along and discover the treasures of the PMI collection from letters, ephemera, invitations, dance cards, petitions, plans and registers that make up the PMIs own history to the books and ephemera which represent its journey over…
August 2023
PMI Victorian History Library’s History Showcase
🏺 Are you interested in History? Then come to the PMI's History Showcase! There are over 20 historical societies, family history and genealogical history groups, archives groups and special interest group, from across Victoria gathered together for one day to show you just how they can help you with whatever enquiry or history related curiosity you may have. The PMI is conveniently located near public transport and many places to eat, so you can comfortably spend all day exploring what…
September 2023
Stories from and a Brief History of 3AW Radio
🎙️ Stories from and a Brief History of 3AW Radio Simon Owens, 3AW's Station Historian, and Co-Host of the Sunday night program Remember When, has some fascinating stories to share. Having gathered insights from many of the stars who have worked at the station over it's 90+ years - He will explain how the station has evolved over the years and answer any questions you might have about Melbourne's most listened to radio station.
Stories Stitched in Fabric
👗 Stories Stitched in Fabric Are you interested in costume history and design? Then join the Brighton Historical Society at the PMI Victorian History Library for a talk about their specialised costume collection. Where the diversity of items in the collection is highlighted and a few in depth stories shared. Jess, our speaker for the night will be highlighting some feature items that have been made by many hands or passed between many people. They're items infused with stories of…
October 2023
The life and art of Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, The master from Marnpi
🖌️ The life and art of Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri, The master from Marnpi How did a non-Indigenous man write the authorised biography of a Western Desert artist he never met? Author Dr Alec O'Halloran talks about Namarari’s life and art to reveal the 19-year journey of reconciliation, challenges and the rewards he experienced. What happened in my first meeting with his widow, Elizabeth Marks Nakamarra, at the remote Pintupi settlement, Kintore, deep in the south-west of the Northern Territory? How…
My Grandfather’s Clock
This is a joint Family History Connections and PMI Victorian History Library event. Join us for a story of an ordinary family's journey from frontier warfare and dispossession through economic turmoil and emigration to modest prosperity. At each step, we are led to reflect on the puzzles of personal identity and the mystery of time. Based on a lifetime of creative scholarship, My Grandfather's Clock is a moving testament to the power of family history to illuminate the present. Graeme…
Chapel Street Walks
🏛️ Meet at the PMI Victorian History Library then step into a charming adventure. Discover the tales of yesteryear's department stores on Chapel Street, Prahran. An all-inclusive experience, perfect for everyone – families, individuals, and even your beloved pets! The tour will be led by Steve Stefanopoulos OAM, architectural historian, former Mayor of the City of Stonnington and President of the PMI Victorian History Library. Image: https://stonnington.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/ARCENQ/59432044/22945613,1?FMT=IMG This is a History Month Event
Bushrangers, bushfires and possum pies: the archaeology of the Old Bridge Inn, Mernda
🥧 Bushrangers, bushfires and possum pies: the archaeology of the Old Bridge Inn, Mernda In 2015, the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA) commissioned Dr Vincent Clark & Associates to carry out cultural heritage investigations for the Mernda Rail Extension Project. In the course of excavations the team came across the Old Bridge Inn. This is one of the earliest commercial structures outside of Melbourne. It was granted a hotel license in 1841, and this business is still in operation today…
Chapel Street Walks
🏛️ Meet at the PMI Victorian History Library then step into a charming adventure. Discover the tales of yesteryear's department stores on Chapel Street, Prahran. An all-inclusive experience, perfect for everyone – families, individuals, and even your beloved pets! The tour will be led by Steve Stefanopoulos OAM, architectural historian, former Mayor of the City of Stonnington and President of the PMI Victorian History Library. Image: https://stonnington.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/ARCENQ/59432044/22945613,1?FMT=IMG This is a History Month Event
November 2023
A Night with Elizabeth Macarthur: Hidden Figure in Australian History
🐑 A Night with Elizabeth Macarthur: Hidden Figure in Australian History Do you enjoy finding out about people history has hidden? So does Michelle Scott Tucker. She is the author of Elizabeth Macarthur: A Life at the Edge of the World – an engaging yet meticulously researched biography of the woman who established the Australian wool industry, even though her husband got all the credit (Text Publishing 2018). Michelle is also the co-writer, with Torres Strait Islander actor and film…
December 2023
Collective City Exhibition
Collective City showcases historic photographs of Melbourne from the state and federal government archives, alongside images representing our city today, curated from submissions by contemporary street photographers. The exhibition explores the moments of joy and connection that happen in our public spaces, between friends, family and strangers. It also highlights the ways people can feel disconnected or lonely in a crowd, and the divisions created by inequity of access to services and public spaces. Featuring the work of Cathrin Plunkett,…
February 2024
Subcultures of Friendship
🌈 Subcultures of Friendship, Male Homosexual Lives in Mid-Century Victoria David and Wayne will guide us through Subcultures of Friendship made in a Mid-Century Melbourne. Wayne Murdoch is going to focus on Melbourne in the 1920s and 30s. His information is based on the research done for his book Kamp Melbourne in the 1920s and ’30s: Trade, Queans and Inverts. Dr David Gould will focus on the 1940s and 50s sharing with us information gathered while researching his book Survivors…
Melbourne’s Great Metropolitan Railways
🚇 Melbourne’s Great Metropolitan Railways – With A Nod Over The Border A little over one hundred years ago, Australia’s first electrified suburban railways commenced operations. Melbourne led the way when electric trains ran between Essendon and Sandringham on 28 May 1919. Sydney followed suit seven years later when its first electric train ran between Central and Oatley on 1 March 1926. Within the year, Sydney’s electric trains also ran into Australia’s first underground railway. Melbourne’s Great Metropolitan Railways celebrates…
March 2024
PMI Library Book Sale
🔖 PMI Victorian History Library Book Sale Step into a treasure trove of literary delights at our upcoming booksale extravaganza! Get ready to embark on a thrilling exploration through the pages of second-hand classics and unearth hidden gems among our collection of rare books. For all the music aficionados out there, we're thrilled to introduce a special addition to this year's sale—vinyl records. Come along and grab treasures you wont find elsewhere!
April 2024
Exodus from Vienna
🛄 Exodus from Vienna Following the 1938 annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, many members of Vienna’s vibrant Jewish community sought safe havens overseas to escape growing persecution. Amongst them were Michael and Regine Weiss and their family. Their story, as told through records held by the National Archives of Australia and other information provided by their descendants, reveals much about Australia’s attitudes towards Jewish refugees during these dark days. Presented by Patrick Ferry, Assistant State Manager of the Victoria…
Family History Workshops
👩🏽👩🏽👦🏽👦🏽 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…
Chapel Street Walks – An Australian Heritage Festival Event
🏛️ Chapel Street Walks - An Australian Heritage Festival Event Meet at the PMI Victorian History Library then step into a charming adventure. Discover the tales of yesteryear's department stores on Chapel Street, Prahran. An all-inclusive experience, perfect for everyone – families, individuals, and even your beloved pets! The tour will be led by Steve Stefanopoulos OAM, architectural historian, former Mayor of the City of Stonnington and President of the PMI Victorian History Library. Bookings are essential. Image: https://stonnington.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/ARCENQ/59432044/22945613,1?FMT=IMG
239 A'Beckett Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 
03 9326 9288 
office@historyvictoria.org.au 
Office & Library: Weekdays 9am-5pm
