Introduction

The Place Now Called Victoria

Rural Victoria

Ned Kelly

A Jewel in the Crown

Marvellous Melbourne

Victorians at War

Victorian Stories

Introduction

One of the State Library of Victoria's roles is to be a custodian of Victoria's memory. Much of its collections record and reflect upon the people, the places and the events that have shaped life here from the time of first contacts between Europeans and Aboriginal people through to today. The changing face of Victoria exhibition brings many of these objects and stories to light through an ever-changing display of pictures, manuscripts, maps and objects ranging from key historical artefacts to items from daily life.



The first sections of the exhibition feature 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 frequent 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 such iconic pieces, you will also discover less well-known stories and objects. These will change over time and will include photographs, diaries and letters that bring individual people and aspects of everyday Melbourne and Victoria to life.

   

Continuing through the gallery, you will find 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 features on the architectural and cultural development of 'Marvellous Melbourne', which include an interactive multimedia work through which you can 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.

Due to the scale and fragility of the Library's collections, displays and stories will change on a regular basis. We invite you to use The changing face of Victoria as a springboard to your own journeys of discovery, and to continue to uncover new stories upon return visits.
Clare Williamson - Exhibition Curator


Illustrations
Top: A selection of portraits used in the exhibition.
Bottom left: George William Jackson, View of Portland Bay, 1836
Bottom right: Unknown photographer St Kilda pier, c1906