July 2008 - Exhibitions & Events

Exhibitions

Sport and War: An Australian War Memorial travelling exhibition

This inspiring free exhibition explores how sport and war have helped to define what it means to be Australian. Discover remarkable stories of courage and achievement on the nation’s battlefields and sporting fields; meet champions like footballer Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott and cricketer Bert Oldfield; and see unique images and objects on display – from original posters and photographs to a ‘Brownlow’ medal presented in Changi POW camp.
Time: 11 July–26 October, 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, see Ned Kelly’s 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

The written word of BA Santamaria

A temporary display of material, including manuscripts and photographs, from the BA Santamaria Collection, which documents the working life of political activist, social commentator and thinker Bob Santamaria (1915-98). The collection was gifted to the State Library of Victoria by the Santamaria family and the BA Santamaria Foundation in 2004.
Time: Daily during Library hours, until August
Venue: Cowen Gallery
Free

Sport and War: Events and Activities

The following programs complement the Library’s free exhibition Sport and War (see Exhibitions).

Free guided tours

Take a free, half-hour guided tour for an overview of the exhibition’s highlights.
Time: Tues & Thurs 1–1.30pm (also Sun 2–2.30pm, 20 July–10 August only)
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; 03 8664 7279)
Free

Sport and War: Half-time tours

Join a curator from the Australian War Memorial for an engaging introduction to Sport and War. Hear remarkable stories of courage and achievement on the battlefield and the sporting field, and see highlights from the rich collections of the Australian War Memorial.
Time: Fri 11 July, 2.30–3pm; Sat 12 July, 2–2.30pm
Venue: Keith Murdoch Gallery
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Sport in a time of war: A panel discussion

The commemorative Anzac Day football matches, the 1945 VFL Grand Final known in footy folklore as the ‘Bloodbath’, the sad story of boxing champion Les Darcy, and the Brownlow Medal forged in Changi POW camp are just few examples of stories where sport and war intersect. Join Melbourne writer and broadcaster Tony Wilson as he leads a panel discussion, with cricket writer Gideon Haigh, historian Professor Joy Damousi and Pattie Wright, author of The Men of the Line. The panel will reflect on the shared ideals, language and long association of sport and war in our history.
Time: Tues 15 July, 6.30–7.45pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Foundation members’ event

Prior to the ‘Sport in a time of war’ panel discussion’ (above), State Library of Victoria Foundation members are invited to enjoy complimentary drinks with the Sport and War curator and guest speakers.
Time: Tues 15 July, 5.45–6.30pm
Venue: Conference Centre (Entry 3, La Trobe street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free (Foundation members only)

Other Events & Activities

Dome Galleries tour

Visit four levels of the great dome, including the magnificent domed La Trobe Reading Room and highlights of the exhibitions The changing face of Victoria and Mirror of the World: books and ideas.
Time: Mon–Fri, 2–3pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7279)
Free

Tracks of the Aurora Australis: Digital display

In 2005 Alison Lester travelled to Antarctica as an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow. She sent daily emails, describing her experiences, to homes and classrooms all over Australia, and asked children to draw their visions of Antarctica and send them to her. These remarkable images, projected on the big screen in Experimedia, combine the children’s drawings with Alison’s colours and design work. (Screening is subject to other programs.)
Time: Until 31 August, daily during Library hours
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required
Free

The Bedside Books Club

This new quarterly book club invites readers to share the books on their bedside table – books they’ve loved, books they can’t wait to read, and books that are begging to be finished and shared. Bring a great book to share over a glass of wine in good company. Guest readers will include author Dorothy Porter; reading advocate Andrew Webster, from Victoria University; and Mary Dalmau, of Reader's Feast Bookstore, on 'What's Hot in the Shop'.
Time: Tues 8 July, 6–7.30pm
Venue: Mr Tulk cafe (enter via Library foyer)
Bookings: 03 86647014 or email smclaine@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Art Out Loud: Trinh Vu – Parallel views

Artists are finding new ways of working with digital tools and techniques, including 3D digital technologies developed for the design and entertainment industries. Trinh Vu will explain how she uses digital tools to generate ideas, and how this invites contemplation of the nature of human existence in a time of technological change. Trinh Vu, a lecturer in Multimedia and Digital Arts at Monash University, is the inaugural (2007) Georges Mora Foundation Fellow. Presented in association with State of Design: Victoria's Design Festival (16 July–3 August).
Time: Thurs 17 July, 6–7pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Flashpoint: New Writing for Theatre

Rehearsed readings of winning scripts from the RE Ross Trust Playwrights' Script Development Awards. Featuring excerpts from three scripts, followed by Q&A with the playwrights and artists.
Time: Wed 23 July, 7.30pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
See our Special Events for more information.
Free

The Tail Wagging the Dog? Oral history, digital storytelling and old media

There is a proliferation of websites devoted to individual and community storytelling, from digital autobiographies to sites for sharing personal stories. Michelle Rayner, who produces oral-history radio programs at ABC Radio National, will discuss the implications of digital/online storytelling for her own practice. This talk is part of the Making Public Histories series, presented by the History Council of Victoria, Monash University Institute for Public History and the State Library. Future seminar suggestions to alistair.thomson@arts.monash.edu.au or 03 9905 9785.
Time: Thurs 24 July, 5.30–7pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: Not required
Free

The 2008 Redmond Barry Lecture, by Lindsay Tanner

The Hon Lindsay Tanner MP, author of Open Australia, will reflect on the role that information and content creation might play in Australia’s future. The annual Redmond Barry Lecture honours the life and work of Sir Redmond Barry, founder of the State Library of Victoria.
Time: Wed 30 July, 6.30–8pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $12/$10/$8 (full/concession/Library Foundation)

Children's Activities

Play Pod: Fun for kids

The Play Pod is a colourful and kid-friendly space in Experimedia. Get comfy and dip into your favourite picture-books, view a children’s digital art display, or borrow an activity pack and make your own book, or a replica of Ned Kelly’s helmet! (Young children should be supervised by an adult.)
Time: Daily during Library hours
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required
Free

Sparky Stories: Digital workshop

Free Sunday fun for kids aged 5 to 12! Each child will create a digital picture-book, complete with illustrations, to take home on DVD. (Limited to seven children per workshop; children must be accompanied by an adult.)
Time: Sundays, 10am–12noon
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

June–July School Holiday Program

Super-action storytelling and workshop

Hear storyteller Bernard Caleo’s entertaining tales from the Trojan War in the morning, then return for a fun afternoon workshop where each child creates a digital picture-book with their own illustrations and narration! Parents must accompany children. (For ages 5 to 12.)
Time: Sun 29 June & 6 July, storytelling 10.30–11.30am, workshop 12–2pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Make a ‘Very Hungry Caterpillar’

Make the caterpillar from the famous children’s story The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Just ask for the caterpillar activity pack in the Play Pod. (Young children must be supervised by an adult.)
Time: Mon 30 June–Sun 13 July, 10am–5pm daily
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required
Free

Really old books! Exhibition tour and workshop

Enjoy a free, one-hour guided tour of the magnificent exhibition Mirror of the World: books and ideas to see rare and beautiful books from the Middle Ages to today. Then join in an optional half-hour activity where children can make their own illustrated book.
Time: Tues 1, Thurs 3, Tues 8 & Thurs 10 July, 10.30–11.30am
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups: 03 8664 7279)
Free

Sporting heroes: Digital workshop

Kick the winning goal at the Grand Final, or hit the ball for six at the Boxing Day Test! Using their own illustrations and stop-motion animation, children can create a sensational sporting story and take it home on DVD. (For ages 7 to 13.)
Time: Mon 7–Fri 11 July, 10.30am–4pm daily
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $40

Ned Kelly’s laptop: Family tour

Visit the exhibition The changing face of Victoria to discover the story of Ned Kelly. See Ned’s original armour, plus photographs and records from the time, and even the laptop on which Peter Carey wrote The True Story of the Kelly Gang. Followed by an optional half-hour children’s activity, making a replica of Ned’s helmet (for ages 5 to 12).
Time: Tues 8 & Thurs 10 July, 1–2pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups: 03 8664 7279)
Free