February 2008 - Exhibitions & Events
Exhibitions
Victorians on Vacation
This delightful free exhibition celebrates holidays and leisure in Victoria since the mid-19th century – from sea-bathing in St Kilda to bush-camping and caravanning. It showcases historical and contemporary photographs, postcards, travel posters and guidebooks from the State Library's collection, plus a slide show and nostalgic home movies.
Time: Until 2 March 2008, 10am–5pm daily (to 9pm Thursdays)
Venue: Keith Murdoch Gallery
Free
The changing face of Victoria
This fascinating exhibition highlights the people, places and events that have shaped life in Victoria over 200 years. Revisit Victoria's early years, view Ned Kelly’s original armour, and discover Melbourne stories and personalities.
Time: 10am–5pm daily
Venue: Dome Galleries, Level 5
Free
Mirror of the World: books and ideas
This magnificent exhibition showcases rare, beautiful and historically significant books from the Library’s collections. See treasures such as Audubon’s magnificent Birds of America, classic children’s books and 1950s pulp crime fiction.
Time: 10am–5pm daily
Venue: Dome Galleries, Level 4
Free
The Cowen Gallery
The elegant Cowen Gallery features a display of 150 works of art from the Library’s Pictures Collection, from early scenes of Melbourne to contemporary portraits.
Time: Daily during Library hours
Venue: Cowen Gallery
Free
Victorians on Vacation: Events & Activities
The following events and activities complement the Library's current temporary exhibition, Victorians on Vacation (see Exhibitions).
Victorians on Vacation tour
Take a free, half-hour guided tour for an overview of the exhibition’s highlights.
Time: Tues & Thurs 1.15–1.45pm; Sun 2.30–3pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7279)
Free
By the seaside: Free talk
Join Andrea Inglis, author of Beside the Seaside: Victorian Resorts in the 19th Century, as she traces the traditions of the seaside holiday. Take an illustrated trip back in time to the exclusive resorts of Queenscliff, Lorne and Sorrento, and the more accessible seaside attractions of St Kilda and Brighton.
Time: Thurs 7 February, 2–3pm
Venue: Conference Centre (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
A family album: Free talk
Tony Banda migrated to Australia from Albania in 1954. Hear his son Rai reminisce, with curator Clare Williamson, about his father’s classic photographs of family holidays in Victoria, as well as his own photography.
Time: Thurs 14 February, 6–7pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Viva le vacanze! Free Italian-language tour
Enjoy an entertaining tour and talk (in Italian) with Laura Mecca, former Director of the Italian Historical Society, as she reflects on the traditional family outing of Italian migrants – complete with piano accordion, well-stocked food hamper and home-made wine!
Time: Wed 20 February, 10.30–11.30am, 1–2pm & 3–4pm
Venue: Keith Murdoch Gallery
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Beach or bush? Panel discussion
Traditionally, Victorians fall into two holiday ‘camps’ – beach or bush. What’s your preference? Melbourne writer and broadcaster Tony Wilson leads a panel discussion, with playwright and author Joanna Murray-Smith, who spent her childhood holidays on Erith Island, Bass Strait; scriptwriter and playwright Bill Garner, who has researched and written about the camping experience; and Peter Spearritt, co-author of Holiday Business: Tourism in Australia Since 1870.
Time: Thurs 21 February, 6.30–7.45pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $12/$10/$8 (full/concession/Library Foundation)
Foundation members’ event
Prior to ‘Beach or bush?’ (see above), State Library of Victoria Foundation members are invited to enjoy complimentary drinks with the exhibition curator and guest speakers.
Time: Thurs 21 February, 5.30–6.30pm
Venue: Foundation Members’ Lounge
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free (Foundation members only)
Taking the waters: Free talk
The ‘health-giving’ mineral springs of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs were a favourite destination for Jewish holiday-makers who retreated there after working all year in the schmatte business – the rag trade. Join Anna Epstein, a curator at the Jewish Museum of Australia, on a nostalgic journey evoking memories of Victoria’s spa resorts: the communal religious festivals, the cheap accommodation, the card-playing and the dancing!
Time: Tues 26 February, 3–4pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
The Burqini™ swimwear phenomenon
The Burqini™ swimsuit has revolutionised the way in which many Muslim women can enjoy the Australian lifestyle of sun and surf while observing Islamic religious and cultural practices. Join Burqini™ swimwear designer Aheda Zanetti, Director of Ahiida Swimwear and Sports Apparel; author and human rights advocate Manar Chelebi; and Saara Sabbagh, Director of the Islamic fashion touring project My Dress, My Image, My Choice, in conversation with Victorians on Vacation curator Clare Williamson. They will discuss the rise and popularity of the Burqini™.
Time: Thurs 28 February, 3–4pm
Venue: Experimedia, State Library of Victoria
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Victorians on Vacation audio guide
For an in-depth commentary on the exhibition, download the audio tour to your mp3 player, or borrow a player from the Library’s front foyer desk.
Free
Greetings from… Holiday snapshots
Fake a fabulous holiday postcard to impress your friends! Just choose an outfit, then pose in front of our caravan and take home a postcard-style print to show off.
Time: Daily until 2 March, 10am–5pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7555)
Free
Wish you were here! Online photo competition
Got some great Victorian holiday photos? Enter our competition (kids’ or adults’ section) and win a digital camera! Whether they’re snapshots from your mobile phone or faded prints in an album, dig them out and share your best holiday moments with the world. Entries close 2 March. Enter the competition now!
Free
Other Tours & Activities
Dome Galleries tour
Visit four levels of the great dome, including the magnificent domed La Trobe Reading Room and highlights of the Dome Gallery permanent exhibitions, The changing face of Victoria and Mirror of the World: books and ideas.
Time: Mon–Fri (from 4 Feb), 2–3pm (except public holidays)
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7279)
Free
Sparky Stories: Fun for kids
Free Sunday fun for kids aged 5 to 12! Inspired by illustrated books from the Library’s collection, each child will create a digital picture-book, complete with illustrations and their own narration. Limited to seven children per workshop, so book soon. (Each child must be accompanied by an adult.)
Time: Sundays, 10am–12noon
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Play Pod: Free fun for kids
In the colourful and kid-friendly Play Pod space in Experimedia, children aged 3 to 5 can dip into favourite story-books anytime. Other activities include card-making, story-writing and making a replica of Ned Kelly’s helmet – just ask the staff member on duty for activity materials. (Young children should be supervised by an adult.).
Time: Daily, 10am–5pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required
Free
Movie-making for seniors
Join in an exciting workshop to learn new skills and star in your own mini-movie! Bring in your own photos and other special objects, and tell your story on film. Take it home on DVD to share with your family and friends.
Time: Mon 4 February, 10am–2.30pm (with half-hour lunch break)
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Rare Book Summer School
The fourth Australian and New Zealand Rare Book Summer School will be held at the State Library (and associated venues) in February. Four five-day courses will be offered; they are Lithography: The Popularisation of Printing in the 19th Century (instructor Michael Twyman); The Colonial Book Trade in Australia and Canada: A Comparative Approach (instructors Mary Jane Edwards and Des Cowley); The Book in Transition, 1750–1850 (instructors Brian McMullin and Pamela Pryde); and Book Collecting (instructor Wallace Kirsop). For more information, contact the Centre for the Book at Monash University.
Time: Mon 11–Fri 15 February
Venue: State Library of Victoria and other venues
Inquiries: 03 9509 7570 or 03 9905 2154; email centre.forthe.book@arts.monash.edu.au
Cost: $700 per five-day course
Superheroes Read
You are invited to celebrate the closing of Superheroes Read, the Australian Library & Information Association’s Summer Reading Club for 2008. Festivities include the launch of Nick Place’s The Ok Team (Allen & Unwin) and author Kelly Gardiner reading from The Swashbuckler Trilogy (HarperCollinsPublishers). There will be prize announcements, plus a souvenir bag for every child. Come dressed as your favourite book hero, if you like!
Time: Sat 23 February, 2-3.30pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: RSPV by Monday 18 February on tel 03 8664 7555 or email learning@slv.vic.gov.au
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