Experience the complex richness of Labassa’s architectural and human history. Although more than 700 people have lived at Labassa, it has miraculously survived with most of its opulent Victorian era decoration intact. Guided house tours and tower tours operate through out the day, and the tea room is open 10.30am to 3.30pm. Join us for
Read More...

In September 2023, the MCC Library celebrated its 150th anniversary. To mark this milestone, 150 items were selected from the collection, to be rotated as part of a special display throughout the year. During Melbourne Rare Book Week, the chosen items will all feature the Olympic Games, to coincide with the 2024 Paris Games opening on
Read More...

Some rambles with the Campbells – The life and times of Western District pastoralist politician, and Anglican vicar, Colin Campbell (1817-1903) and his family. This talk with Dr. Ian Clark will cover Colin Campbell and his wife Frances Campbell (née McWhirter) and their relationship with the Djabwurrung Aboriginal people of the Buangor district. Colin Campbell
Read More...

Speaker: Fiona Campbell What are the Sands and McDougall directories? These often-massive volumes were produced from 1857 to 1974 and are an invaluable resource for local and family history research. Find out how you can access and use them for your research, and enjoy some of their more entertaining aspects, with local history librarian, Fiona
Read More...

Presented by Jodi Kok A look at the life and exploits of E.W. Cole, creator of Cole’s Funny Picture Book and owner of the famous Cole’s Book Arcade. Cole was a canny businessman, a visionary, and a true believer in everyone having the right to access books. We will take a look at some treasures from the Library’s
Read More...

Cultural archaeology in Haunted Hotham Speaker: Sean Reynolds You’ve likely stumbled upon them, roaming the winding streets of North Melbourne—ghost signs, those timeworn remnants of advertisements past, keepers of tales hidden in plain sight. Join Sean, the madcap maestro behind the Instagram cult-hit ‘Melbourne Ghost Signs’, for a night drenched in stories, histories and mysteries. Rendezvous
Read More...

📜 Rare Book and Materials Collecting in Libraries: past, present and future. Join Ellen Coates (PMI Victorian History Library - Collections Librarian and Volunteer Coordinator), Jillian Hiscock (Royal Historical Society of Victoria - Collections Manager and Volunteer Coordinator) and Anne Holloway (Monash University - Manager of Special Collections) in a panel discussion of how libraries
Read More...

Past, present and future Facilitator: Judith Elllis. Panelists: Ellen Coates, Jillian Hiscock and Anne Holloway Join experts from PMI Victorian History Library, Royal Historical Society of Victoria and Monash University in a panel discussion of how libraries collect rare books, what we do with them, how we make them accessible and collecting rare materials into
Read More...

An introduction to the Collection Speaker: Ellen Becker Established in central Ballarat in 1859, the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute’s Collection is of historical significance as the largest and most intact repository of material relating to Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria, with its rare and valuable items demonstrating the tastes and interests of the inhabitants of a major
Read More...