Media Release

Victoria's Changing Face is Complete!

See the development of ‘Marvellous Melbourne’ after the 1850s goldrushes, admire the photographs of Indigenous artist Leah King-Smith and delve into magician WG Alma’s conjuring collection! It’s all part of Stage Two of The changing face of Victoria exhibition opening at the State Library of Victoria’s Family Day on Sunday 17 April.

The opening of this exhibition has been in two stages. Stage One opened 26 November 2004 and includes displays on the early years of European settlement, daily life in rural Victoria and Australia’s best-known outlaw, Ned Kelly. 

Stage Two will feature six additional displays. ‘A Jewel in the Crown of the Empire’ looks at the growth of Melbourne as a bustling metropolis after gold was discovered, including the establishment of the Melbourne Public Library (now the State Library). This is followed by a feature on Wurundjeri Elder Barak and life on the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station. ‘Marvellous Melbourne’ illustrates the cultural and architectural development of our city and ‘Victorians at War’ documents the lives of Victorians throughout World War II. ‘An Extraordinary Diversity’ explores the rich mix of Indigenous and immigrant cultures in our society. ‘Collections and Stories’ offers a fascinating array of images and objects that reflect life in Victoria throughout the 20th and into the 21st century, drawing on major collections of photographs and artefacts from companies such as Coles Myer and the Bryant and May Match Company.

With the opening of Stage Two, visitors will now be able to complete their journey around the Dome Gallery and through many of the histories of Victoria told by the Library’s collections.

CEO and State Librarian Anne-Marie Schwirtlich says ‘Completing the exhibition is cause for celebration because it allows the Library to share so much more of its collections. Stories about courage, resilience, vision and the art of conjuring are just a fraction of the delights in store for visitors.’

The changing face of Victoria exhibition opens 10am–5pm Sunday 17 April, 2005 at the State Library of Victoria, Dome Gallery, Level 5, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne. The exhibition is open after the launch daily from 10am–5pm except public holidays. Admission is free.