August 2008 - Exhibitions & Events

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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's 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

Sport and War: Events & Activities

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

Sport and War: Guided tour

Take a free, half-hour guided tour for an overview of the exhibition’s highlights.
Time: Tues & Thurs 1–1.30pm (also Sun 3 & 10 August, 2–2.30pm)
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; 03 8664 7279)
Free

Football @ the Library

David Flegg, mild-mannered librarian by day and AFL goal umpire during the footy season, will introduce the Library’s extensive football archive, highlighting significant items like the first Victorian Rules rulebook.
Time: Thurs 14 August, 6.30–7.30pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Les Carlyon and Barrie Cassidy in conversation

Join Les Carlyon, author of The Great War and Gallipoli, in conversation with Barrie Cassidy, host of the sports panel program Offsiders, as they discuss the interplay between sport and war.
Time: Tues 19 August, 6.30–7.30pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Chess for kids

Test your skills in the original game of sport and war, using the large-scale chess sets in the Play Pod.
Time: Until 26 October, 10am–5pm daily
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required
Free

Other Events

Inky Awards 2008 launch

Join the Library’s Centre for Youth Literature and special guests for the announcement of the longlist for the 2008 Inky Awards, Australia’s only teenage book awards that give readers a say. (Group bookings are welcome.)
Time: Fri 1 August, 11am–12noon
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Family History Feast 2008

Learn more about finding and using genealogy resources at this day of free information sessions during National Family History Week. This annual event is organised by the Victorian Association of Family History Organisations and presented by the Public Record Office, National Archives, State Library and the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Time: Mon 4 August, 10am–4pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 9348 5600; 1800 657 452 (toll free); email reception@prov.vic.gov.au
Free

Copyright and the digital museum

Digital communications offer exciting opportunities for cultural institutions to promote public access to their collections – but at the same time create the possibility of copyright infringement. Cultural Collections, Creators and Copyright is a research project being conducted by the Centre for Media and Communications Law and the Intellectual Property Research Institution at the University of Melbourne. Researchers Andrew Kenyon and Robin Wright will discuss the project.
Time: Tues 5 August, 9–10am
Venue: Meet at front entrance, 8.55am
Bookings: Not required
Free

Online activism and civic engagement

With the advent of Web 2.0, online networking is on the rise. How can the new technologies be used for civic engagement, and is online activism effective? Panel members include: Karen Farquharson, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Swinburne University of Technology; Anna Helme, Project Manager, EngageMedia video-sharing site; and Andrew Asten, National Director of the Oaktree Foundation’s Schools 4 Schools program.
Time: Tues 12 August, 6.30–8pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Masters of Disasters: Matthew Reilly and Michael Robotham

Celebrated Australian action/thriller writers Matthew Reilly and Michael Robotham come together to talk about espionage, crime and the psychological thriller. This free event is part of the Books Alive [external link] program for 2008.
Time: Mon 25 August, 6pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

BA Santamaria: Running the Show

A panel discussion to mark the publication of Running the Show: BA Santamaria Selected Documents 1939–1996, edited by Patrick Morgan, a companion volume to Your Most Obedient Servant: BA Santamaria Selected Letters, 1938–1996. The discussion will be chaired by Ian Renard and will include Fr Paul Duffy SJ, Sam Lipski AM, Emeritus Professor John Molony and Patrick Morgan.
Time: Tues 26 August, 6.30–8pm (refreshments from 6pm)
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7016; bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Gamers’ rights

Gaming isn’t always fun and games. Who owns your in-game loot, and do you really have any legal claim on your toons? At this lively forum, presented in associated with Dissecta, an expert panel will identify and discuss gamers’ legal rights and expectations, both in-game and real-world.
Time: Tues 26 August, 6.30–8pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Juicy Writing: Workshop for teenagers, with Brigid Lowry

Tune up your writing in this inspirational two-hour workshop for teenage writers. Juicy Writing is Brigid Lowry’s new guide to writing. It’s a treasure-trove of practical advice on creative writing, especially for teenagers. Recommended for Years 7–12
Time: Sat 30 August, 1–3pm
Venue: Conference Centre (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $7

Melbourne Day at the Library

Celebrate Melbourne Day at the State Library and enjoy free family fun inspired by historical treasures from the Library’s collection – from Ned Kelly’s armour to John Batman’s journal and the city’s first newspaper, the hand-written Melbourne Advertiser. Children can create their own newspaper or journal, colour in Melbourne’s cityscape or make their own Ned Kelly helmet! The whole family will enjoy the fascinating permanent exhibition The changing face of Victoria; you can browse the exhibition in your own time, or take the Discover Melbourne guided tour. (Melbourne Day is a celebration of the founding of Melbourne in 1835; for details, visit That's Melbourne [external link].)
Time: Sat 30 August, activities 12–2pm, exhibition 10am–5pm (tours 11am–12noon & 2–3pm)
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required
Free

Tours & 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

Ned Kelly’s laptop

Visit the exhibition The changing face of Victoria to discover the story of Ned Kelly. See Ned’s armour, original photographs and documents, and even the laptop on which Peter Carey wrote The True History of the Kelly Gang.
Time: Tues 10.30–11.30am
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Free

Digital storytelling for seniors

Capture your memories on film to share with your family and friends! No technical skills are required for this fun, free workshop – simply bring along some photos and other special objects, and take your story home on DVD.
Time: Mon 4 Aug, 10am–3pm (with half-hour lunch break)
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Outside-In Cinema

Immerse yourself in the popular music scene at free screenings of contemporary documentaries from around the world, on the big screen in Experimedia. Bring a picnic dinner, if you like. (Minors must be accompanied by an adult.)

August 6: Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme (82 min): Explores the rarely recorded art form of improvisational rap, from neighbourhood ciphers to the most notorious MC battles.

August 20: loudQUIETloud (105 min): An intimate portrait of The Pixies and their difficult, tense and ultimately triumphant return as one of rock music’s greatest bands.

Time: Wed 6 & 20 August, 6.30–8pm approx
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Beautiful botanical illustrations

The Library has a rich collection of historical botanical illustrations, from early 16th-century herbals to exquisite 20th-century works. View a selection of fine examples, such as Redouté’s Jardin de la Malmaison and Ferdinand Bauer’s Illustrationes florae Novae Hollandiae, and visit the Library’s acclaimed exhibition Mirror of the World: books and ideas.
Time: Thurs 7 August, 2–3pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7279
Free

Music and dance on film

These relaxed Wednesday afternoon sessions are a must for music fans. Enjoy free screenings of classic music and dance performances: on 13 August, Andre Previn’s opera A Streetcar Named Desire; and on 27 August, the ballet The Sleeping Beauty, with music by Tchaikovsky. Seating is limited, so come early.
Time: Wed 13 & 27 August, 12–2.30pm approx
Venue: Arts Reading Room
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; 03 8664 7194)
Free

Discover Melbourne in 'The changing face of Victoria'

Discover the origins of Melbourne, and some of the stories that have contributed to the city’s unique character and identity.
Time: Mon 25, Wed 27, Fri 29 August, 1–2pm; Sat 30 August, 11am–12noon & 2–3pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; 03 8664 7279)
Free

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! Inspired by illustrated books from the Library’s collection, each child will create a digital picture-book, complete with illustrations and their own narration.
Time: Sundays, 10am–12noon
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au (places are limited)
Free

Stories with schoolies

Teenagers from Melbourne schools present stories for young children, followed by an art-and-craft activity.
Time: Sun 17 August, 11am–12.15pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

‘Book of the Year’ stories

Stories for children, chosen from the Children’s Book Council awards shortlist, and followed by a fun activity to celebrate Children’s Book Week.
Time: Wed 20 August, 11am–12noon
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required (except for groups)
Free