Events
by Weston Bate, Richard Broome, Nicole Davis, Andrew May, Helen Stitt
Launch Event: Dive into the Hidden Alleys of Melbourne’s Past & Present
Date: Thursday, 3 October 2024
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Royal Historical Society of Victoria, 239 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne 3000
The event will be launched by esteemed Professor Robert Adams AM, a multi-award-winning architect and urban designer renowned for his visionary work.
About the Book:
Look back in time and step into the future with the launch of our riveting expansion of Weston Bate’s 1994 work, ‘Essential but Unplanned: The Story of Melbourne’s Lanes.’ Published in partnership with the State Library of Victoria, this new edition breathes new life into the labyrinthine tales of Melbourne’s iconic laneways.
This reimagined and expanded edition is packed with new chapters and vivid narratives that bring our city’s storied past right up to the digital age.
The book includes a plethora of new images—both historic and modern, in stunning colour and timeless black-and-white.
From the seamy underbelly of the 1880s to their glamorous urban revival, delve into the tales of crime, culture, and culinary delights that have defined these narrow alleys.
Melbourne’s lanes have evolved from mere service routes to become the heartbeat of the city’s cultural and social life. Once notorious for crime and questionably-legal activities, they now bustle with cafes, high-end restaurants, and globally-renowned street art, celebrated worldwide as epitomes of urban chic.
Join us for an evening of discovery and celebration! Mingle with history buffs, urban explorers, and lovers of Melbourne alike as we unveil this comprehensive guide to the hidden veins of our beloved city.
Don’t miss out: RSVP now and secure your spot in retracing the steps of history!
See you there as we toast to the past, present, and future of Melbourne’s enchanting laneways!
Date: 5th October 2024
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Kathleen Syme Library, 251 Faraday Street, Carlton
About the event: Melbourne Circle: Walking, Memory and Loss, describes the two-year walk of author Nick Gadd with his late wife around the Melbourne suburbs in search of secret places, quirky stories, curious characters, old signage and other traces of the past.
In this talk Nick shares some of their discoveries, along with a host of photographs of historical interest.
The Villages of Richmond
Date: 6th October 2024
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Studio One, 15 Barnett Way, Richmond
About the event:
Join us as we welcome Chris McConville and Robert Pascoe, urban historians investigating the way immigrants made their new neighbourhoods their own. Richmond boasts a community pieced together by Irish, Italian, Greeks, Vietnamese and more. This captivating presentation will focus on the mark the Italians have left on this vibrant community. Please join us for this free event and afternoon tea.
Event: Spring time is tulip time.
Date: 1st – 13 October 2024
Location: Tesselaar Flower Farm, 357 Monbulk Road, Silvan, Victoria, 3795
About the event:
More than a million spring flowering bulbs * Live entertainment * Delicious foods or bring a picnic * Free onsite parking * Just 40km east of Melbourne * Dogs on leads welcome * Pram Friendly * A kaleidoscope of colour
Event: Whitfield Excavations Swan Hill Show
Date: 4th & 5th October 2024
Location: 106 McCallum St, Swan Hill VIC 3585
About the event:
Since 1985, Swan Hill District Agricultural and Pastoral Society Inc. has proudly hosted the annual Swan Hill District Show. In 2023, we partnered with Dale and his team from Whitfield Excavations, to bring you an exciting, entertaining annual show.
The 2024 Whitfield Excavation Swan Hill Show promises to be a blast, featuring a wide range of exciting competitions, delicious food vendors, fun game stalls, rides, and even a petting zoo for kids. After a day of fun-filled activities, grab your show bags, dag-wood dogs, and fairy floss and get ready for Swan Hills best fireworks display, courtesy of our friends at Southern Cross Fireworks.
Event: Behind the Scenes with David Thompson: Melbourne’s Storied Laneways
Date: Wednesday, 9 October 2024
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Royal Historical Society of Victoria
About the event:
Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our current exhibition, Melbourne’s Storied Laneways, curated by David Thompson. This exhibition was inspired by our forthcoming publication “The Story of Melbourne’s Lanes: Essential but Unplanned” by Weston Bate, Richard Broome, Nicole Davis, Andrew J. May, and Helen Stitt, launching on 3 October 2024.
We all have our favourite Melbourne laneway, and David Thompson has handpicked a selection of lanes that reveal some of Melbourne’s most intriguing stories. It’s fascinating to think that just 50 years ago, the now gussied-up, tourist-friendly laneways like Guilford Lane and Hosier Lane were bustling with small factories and light industry.
David’s insights and expertise will offer a unique perspective on how these iconic laneways have evolved over time, transforming from workaday spaces into vibrant cultural hotspots.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore Melbourne’s hidden gems and uncover the stories behind its storied laneways. Bookings are essential for this captivating event.
Event: Stonnington Mansion Bus Tour – A Seniors and History Month Event
Date: Thursday, 10 October 2024
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Malvern Town Hall
1251 High St, Malvern VICTORIA 3144
About the event:
Embark on a captivating 90-minute journey through the elegant streets of Toorak, Armadale, and Malvern. From the vantage point of an elevated bus, you’ll have the unique opportunity to peer over fences and catch glimpses of some of Melbourne’s most luxurious mansions.
Your guide for this exclusive tour is Steve Stefanopoulos OAM, esteemed architectural historian, former Mayor of the City of Stonnington, and past President of the PMI Victorian History Library. With his wealth of knowledge and passion for local history, Steve will bring the stories of these grand residences to life.
The tour commences and concludes at Malvern Town Hall.
Bookings are essential for this unmissable event.
Event: Digging up the dirt on history
Date: Saturday, 12 October 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Royal Historical Society of Victoria, 239 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne 3000
About the event:
Prepare to dig into the depths of history at our exclusive spine-tingling full-day seminar and unearth the secrets of Victoria’s Cemetery Records: Where Skeletons Have Tales to Tell! Co-presented by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria and the Genealogical Society of Victoria.
Discover Hidden Histories and Ghoulish Delights!
Embark on an eerie exploration into the shadowy depths of Victoria’s cemeteries. This seminar is your ghostly gateway to the past, unveiling silent stories etched in stone and preserved in records. Whether you’re a seasoned collector of haunted histories or just starting to dig into your family roots, this day is packed with unearthly insights designed to refine your research techniques and uncover riveting tales that are dying to be told.
Meet Our Esteemed Panel of Historical Ghost Whisperers:
Dr. Celestina Sagazio – Historian specializing in digging up the dirt with expertise as a cemetery studies scholar.
Dr. Cheryl Griffin – Social Historian ready to unravel the social fabric of the dearly departed.
Rod Armstrong – Family History Researcher, adept at cutting through the genealogical cobwebs.
Friends of Cemetery Groups – Resurrect the past with insights from our passionate cemetery preservationists.
Representatives from GSV & RHSV – Offering a treasure trove of resources to help you piece together the bones of your research.
Connect with Fellow Grave Enthusiasts!
This seminar isn’t just about learning; it’s an opportunity to connect with a vibrant community of history enthusiasts and experts. Exchange eerie anecdotes, share spooky discoveries, and maybe even crack some cryptic cases with the help of newfound friends and fellow grave diggers.
Whether you’re tracing your family tree or conducting local history research, this seminar promises a profound dive into the archives of the undead.
Reserve your spot today and step into the past with us and bring history back from the dead by joining us in unearthing stories that time almost buried.
Event: Malvern Heritage Walks – A Seniors and History Month Event
Date: Wednesday 16 October 2024
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Malvern Town Hall, 1251 High St, Malvern VICTORIA 3144
About the event:
Discover the rich history of Malvern on this engaging heritage walk, starting at the base of the iconic clock tower at Malvern Town Hall. During this immersive experience, you will explore notable landmarks such as the Town Hall itself, the nearby Police Station, and the former Court House. Wander through the grounds of St George’s Anglican Parish, which includes the church, hall, and vicarage, and marvel at Stonnington’s only bluestone house. Visit the historic Waiora house, stroll through Malvern Square and admire its stunning sculptures, and learn about the former Malvern Fire Station and the old De La Salle College in Armadale.
The journey continues with a stop at the Malvern Tram Depot and St Joseph’s Catholic Parish, encompassing the church, presbytery, hall, and schools for both girls and boys. Explore the Tower Building at De La Salle College and the former site of Kildara College and Brigidine Convent. Discover the grandeur of Northbrook, with its house, ballroom, and stables, and enjoy the historical charm of the MCG (Malvern Cricket Ground and pavilion). The tour concludes at the former ES&A Bank, bringing a perfect end to a walk through Malvern’s fascinating past.
Your guide for this historical journey is Steve Stefanopoulos OAM, esteemed architectural historian, former Mayor of the City of Stonnington, and past President of the PMI Victorian History Library. Steve’s extensive knowledge and passion for Malvern’s heritage will provide an enriching and memorable experience.
Bookings are essential for this fascinating event
Event: Queenscliff Literary Festival
Date: Friday, 18 October – Sunday, 27 October
Time: Various
Location: Queenscliff
About the event: Join us for our 2024 program, celebrating 10 years of literary excellence.
Thursday 5 September 2024 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM (UTC+10) Queenscliffe Town Hall
Join us for our 2024 program launch featuring international bestselling author Michael Robotham.
Michael Robotham is Australia’s most successful international crime writer: he has sold 8.5 million books worldwide and his work has been translated into 25 languages.
Hailed by Stephen King as ‘an absolute master’ of the psychological thriller, Robotham celebrates 20 years of exceptional publishing this year: his debut thriller The Suspect was released in 2004, and his latest novel, Storm Child, went straight to #1 on publication in July.
Queenscliffe Literary Festival is thrilled to have Michael join us at our program launch on Thursday 5 September 2024, where he will be in conversation about his extraordinary career with Miles Franklin Literary Award winner Sofie Laguna.
This glittering event will launch our huge 10th anniversary program, and you will also be the first to receive our 2024 program booklet and secure your festival tickets.
The QLF Cashless bar will be open from 5pm.
Come join us from 5pm, buy a drink beforehand and have a catch up before the 6:00pm start
Drinks will be at bar prices
Event: Discussion by acclaimed author Clare Wright OAM
Date: Tuesday, 22 October 2024
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: PMI Victorian History Library, 39 St Edmonds Road, Prahran 3181
About the event:
Join us for an event featuring acclaimed author Clare Wright OAM, Patron of the PMI Victorian History Library. She will discuss her latest book, which delves into the pivotal year of 1963. During this time, leaders of the Yolngu clans, in collaboration with their white allies, embarked on an unprecedented political journey that led to the presentation of four Bark Petitions to the Federal Parliament. <> “Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions” offers a compelling narrative of a foundational document in Australian democracy and the individuals behind it. Clare Wright’s meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring to life the rich and enduring culture of Australia’s first peoples, highlighting their ongoing resilience and influence.
Bookings are essential.
Lime Mortars with Ray Wiltshire
Event: DISCOVER THE PURE JOY OF DOGS AT THE 2024 MELBOURNE DOG LOVERS FESTIVAL
Dates: Friday, 25 October
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Barwon Grange, 25 Fernleigh Street Newtown, VIC 3220
About the event:
Ray Wiltshire, a highly knowledgeable and skilled Heritage Plasterer with many years’ experience in the industry, is also a regular trainer at the Longford Academy in Tasmania.
This workshop will be hands-on, allowing participants to repoint a section of wall at Barwon Grange. All participants with receive digital certificates of completion at the conclusion of the workshop.
During this session at Barwon Grange participants will gain:
-Awareness of the Health and Safety issues involved in the pointing works
-Familiarity with lime, sand and aggregate selection processes
-Practical awareness of materials preparation and use including tool handling
-Conservation philosophy as to the extent of pointing intervention
This workshop is an initiative of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) to use conservation works projects at our properties to demonstrate best conservation practice and create meaningful learning opportunities for trades, professionals and the general public.
Event: DISCOVER THE PURE JOY OF DOGS AT THE 2024 MELBOURNE DOG LOVERS FESTIVAL
Dates: Saturday, 26 October & Sunday 27 October
Time: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale
About the event:
We are celebrating our 10th birthday, so we will be re-imagining the 2024 event to present the biggest and best festival ever staged and to do this we have relocated to Victoria’s most pet-friendly venue at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
The Festival will be overflowing with puppy love as dog enthusiasts from all corners of Melbourne, Victoria and across Australia descend on what will be one of the grandest dog-dedicated festivals in the world on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October.
Event: Feline fanciers of all ages are gearing up for the most purrr-fect weekend at the 2024 Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival
Dates: Saturday, 26 October & Sunday 27 October
Time: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale
About the event:
Curious? Well, the cat’s out of the bag!
Following the roaring success of the 2022 show, Australia’s most beloved event for cat enthusiasts makes it’s long awaited return to the Melbourne, taking over the Melbourne Showgrounds.
It runs on October 26 and 27 and will be heaven for cat lovers of all ages with an array of feline-inspired entertainment, education and inspiration! And in even more paw-some news the Melbourne Dog Lovers Festival will be running alongside on the same day, and you will receive FREE entry with your Melbourne Cat Lovers Festival ticket.