The first section of the exhibition focuses on the early years of European settlement, daily life in rural Victoria, and the events and mythology surrounding that most famous Victorian, Ned Kelly. Items on regular display include key artefacts such as the Batman Deeds, the last notes of Burke and Wills and, on permanent display, Kelly’s armour. In addition to these iconic pieces, The changing face of Victoria also features less well-known objects which will change over time. These include photographs, diaries and letters that bring individual people and aspects of everyday Melbourne and Victoria to life.
The next section features displays on Redmond Barry and the establishment of the Melbourne Public Library (now the State Library of Victoria), and the life and art of Wurundjeri Elder, Barak. These are followed by displays on the architectural and cultural development of 'Marvellous Melbourne', and include an interactive multimedia work which allows you to explore various panoramas of Melbourne taken over time from the corner of Collins and Russell Streets.
The final two sections present Melbourne and Victoria through the 20th and into the 21st centuries with displays of photographs and objects relating to aspects of daily life and culture. These include features on some of the Library's unique collections, including The Argus newspaper collection of photographs relating to World War II, the W.G. Alma Conjuring Collection and the Coles Myer Archive.
A list of exhibition items can be found in the Library's Pictures Catalogue by searching on the phrase 'the changing face of Victoria'.
Illustrations
Views of The changing face of Victoria exhibition. |
