Mirror of the world: books and ideas

Discover stunning artwork alongside powerful words in this visual feast for book-lovers.

Recent acquisitions and new stories are featured each year in this special exhibition, revealing different aspects of the Library’s Rare Books collection, and showcasing rare and significant works that trace the history of book design from medieval manuscripts to comics.

From 7 October 2016, the exhibition features 281 new items on display, dating from 2050 BC to the present day.

NAIDOC

Koolin ngargee. Celebrate Aboriginal culture and language during NAIDOC week on the ancestral lands of the Koolin people at Melbourne Gardens.

Location
Royal Botanic Gardens
Alexandra Avenue
Melbourne VIC 3004
Meet at the Visitor Centre

The beautiful languages of the people who talk like birds

Their unusual whistled speech may reveal what humanity’s first words sounded like.

If you are ever lucky enough to visit the foothills of the Himalayas, you may hear a remarkable duet ringing through the forest. To the untrained ear, it might sound like musicians warming up a strange instrument. In reality, the enchanting melody is the sound of two lovers talking in a secret, whistled language.

Melbourne Knowledge Week

'Know. Now. Next.' is the theme of Melbourne Knowledge Week 2017. Building on what we know, acting now, and preparing for the future.

The best thinkers in Melbourne and from around the world are coming together to lead conversations to shape the way our city evolves.

Dates and times
01/05/2017 to 07/05/2017

Location
State Library of Victoria
328 Swanston Street

AAA 60th Anniversary Dinner

Celebrating 60 Years of Friendship

The President and Committee of the Australian Asian Association of Victoria, cordially invites you to join us at our Gala Dinner - a special evening of good fellowship, great food and vibrant cultural performances to commemorate our 60th Anniversary.

Why learning Chinese should be compulsory in Australian schools

While we all wait with bated breath to see how Asia responds to the prospect of Donald Trump in the White House, some introspection about how well Australia is prepared to fully engage in the Asian Century would be prudent.

Victoria's Multicultural Festival

Victoria’s Multicultural Festival is a showcase of the many cultures that make Victoria so vibrant and such an amazing place to live. Come along for a sumptuous array of international cuisine, art, craft, music, dance, film, kid’s activities, roving performances and more! The celebrations start at midday and include two new additions to the exciting program:  the VMC Film Festival which will explore multiculturalism through the lens of the next generation; and the Culture Waves concert from 7-10pm  featuring some of the hottest headline multicultural acts.

The Victoria- China relationship: built on a thousand hands of friendship

Last week in Beijing Premier Daniel Andrews cemented Victoria's reputation as the Education State, reaching an historic agreement with China’s Ministry of Education to take the education relationship between our two jurisdictions to a whole new level.

Project Extend Visit to Chinese Museum

Project Extend will be going on our first family excursion in 2017!   Our children will experience the very festive celebrations in Chinatown and we will also be visiting the Chinese Museum.

Sunday, 29 January 2017
Little Bourke Street
Melbourne

More details to come.

Project Extend End of Year Party

We're celebrating our second successful year of implementing a new approach to language learning on Friday, 2 Dec 2016.

Please join us!

Star Gazing Night

Join the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV) for a stargazing evening at Westerfolds Park. ASV astronomers will be on hand with telescopes and demonstrators.

Friday 04 November 2016, 8.15 pm to 10.15 pm

Introducing 'Noongarpedia' – Australia's first Indigenous Wikipedia

The people who have occupied south-west Western Australia for 30,000 years are determined to ensure the survival of their Noongar language.

2016 Brookes Oration

The annual Brookes Oration honours the significant contribution of Sir Wilfred Brookes, grandson of Alfred Deakin, the second Prime Minister of Australia after whom Deakin University is named.

This year's oration, Gender equality and diversity, will be delivered by Lieutenant General David Morrison AO (Retired), former Chief of Army, champion of human rights. Lieutenant General Morrison was awarded 2016 Australian of the Year for his commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion.

Promoting bilingual education for all Australian children