July enews

What makes Melbourne the most liveable city in the world? Join us on Wednesday 8 July for the annual Redmond Barry Lecture as Lord Mayor Robert Doyle analyses the city’s winning formulas for safety, sustainability and smart growth. This annual lecture honours the work of Sir Redmond Barry, founder of the State Library.

The majestic Queen’s Hall and rarely seen Conservation Lab will open their doors to the public for two days in July as part of Open House Melbourne.

Queen’s Hall: Enjoy a self-guided tour on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July between 10am and 4pm. Bookings not required.

Conservation Lab: There are a limited number of tours scheduled for Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July. Bookings open on Wednesday 8 July at 10am.

What drives a book collector to amass a private library? Don’t miss the highly anticipated annual Foxcroft lecture on Monday 20 July as rare books librarian Donald Kerr shines a light on three remarkable private book collections, and their cultural legacy in the hands of public institutions. Presented as part of Rare Book Week.

Like no other colonial artist, ST Gill recorded the experience of what it was to be an Australian. Learn more about Gill’s biting social commentaries of 19-century Australia from Australian Sketchbook exhibition curator, Professor Sasha Grishin, in an intriguing conversation with journalist and broadcaster Virginia Trioli. Monday 27 July.

From activists to fundraisers, women played diverse roles off the battlefield during WWI. Join us on Friday 31 July at the upcoming Women in war conference to explore their impact during the conflict. Presented in partnership with Australian Multicultural Foundation, Monash University and Selina Productions.

Bookings are now open for this year’s WWI-themed Family History Feast on Monday 10 August. The twelfth annual program includes free information sessions on a range of subjects, from Australian women in the war to soldier settlement in Victoria. 

Help us acquire and protect original Blinky Bill illustrations, a rare first edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and bestselling Australian author Sonya Hartnett’s papers. Every donation helps.