Curator’s talk: Yarra Birrarung Artists, Writers and the River exhibition
RHSV Gallery Downstairs 239 A'Beckett St, Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaJoin the curator, Dr Judith Buckrich, of our current exhibition Yarra Birrarung: Artists, Writers and the River in a behind-the-scenes talk about the exhibition. The exhibition is an illustrated history of life on the Yarra. Through the lens of artists and writers, the exhibition explores how life has flourished on the river, including recreation, industry and land use, as well as infrastructure, natural history and social history.
Reel History: A Journey Through Victoria’s Cinematic Past
Prahran Mechanics Institute 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC, AustraliaStep into the golden age of cinema at the PMI Victorian History Library's immersive film evening, presented by the Cinema and Theatre Historical Society (CATHS). This captivating event will transport you back to the early days of film in Victoria, showcasing the state's pivotal role in Australia's cinematic history. Experience the magic of Australia's first
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Family History Workshop: Learn How to Publish Your Family History
Prahran Mechanics Institute 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC, AustraliaAre you sitting on a treasure trove of family stories, longing to share them with future generations? Join us at the PMI Victorian History Library for an enlightening one-day workshop that will transform your family history from cherished memories into a beautifully published book. What You'll Learn: Design Like a Pro: Explore various layouts and
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Feminists to felons: exhibiting women’s history
RHSV Gallery Downstairs 239 A'Beckett St, Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaEach year, to celebrate Women's History Month, the RHSV offers our Women's History lecture, part of our Distinguished Lecture series. Museums in the 1970s were largely masculine preserves, staffed almost exclusively by men in white coats. Women were thin on the ground. Their stories were equally rare. Those few women who did appear in museum
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The World of Mab Grimwade
Prahran Mechanics Institute 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC, AustraliaBorn into a genteel family of pastoralists and investors in colonial Victoria, Mabel Louise Kelly (1887–1973), or ‘Mab’ to those who knew her, would grow up to make an enormous contribution to Victoria and Australia. Most evidently, it was made through bequests to the University of Melbourne and through the donation to the university of
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Louise Lovely’s Labassa
Labassa 2 Manor Grove, Caulfield North, Victoria, AustraliaSession 1: 6pm - 7.30pm Session 2: 8pm - 9.30pm Film pioneer Louise Lovely was Australia’s most successful actress in Hollywood’s early silent era and Labassa’s most celebrated resident of the 1930s. Delve into Miss Lovely’s extraordinary life story as a star of stage and screen and learn what her splash of glamour brought to
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PMI Library Book Sale: April 2025
Prahran Mechanics Institute 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC, AustraliaAfter our success last year, we again have market stalls joining us for our bi-annual big book sale! We have 10+ stalls joining us, so you know it will be lively. Stall owners have jewellery, knitted toys, scrapbooking materials, soaps and more to offer you. Make sure to stop by and pick up a treasure
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How to Record a Painful History
Prahran Mechanics Institute 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC, AustraliaJoin us for a not-to-be-missed discussion on recording and sharing the truths of a colonial past. Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir and Marguerita Stephens will share their experience of collaborating across cultures to create their ground-breaking work “Years of Terror: Banbu-deen: Kulin & Colonists at Port Phillip 1835-1851.” Why did Billibellary and other Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung clansmen
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Chapel Street Walk: Around Prahran’s Iconic Buildings
Prahran Mechanics Institute 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, VIC, AustraliaMeet at the PMI Victorian History Library then step into a charming adventure. Discover the tales of yesteryear's department stores on Chapel Street, Prahran. An all-inclusive experience, perfect for everyone – families, individuals, and even your beloved pets!
Malvern Walk: Explore Stonnington’s Rich History
Malvern Town Hall Corner High Street and Glenferrie Road Malvern, Melbourne, AustraliaStarting at the iconic clock tower of the Malvern Town Hall, you’ll embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Malvern. As you stroll through the streets, you’ll uncover fascinating stories behind the Town Hall, the nearby Police Station, and the former Court House. Marvel at St George’s Anglican Parish, explore Stonnington’s only bluestone
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239 A'Beckett Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 
03 9326 9288 
office@historyvictoria.org.au 
Office & Library: Weekdays 9am-5pm
