State Library of Queensland

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There is so much on offer at State Library. Explore ways to make the most of your visit before you arrive.

Join us for a free talk on the changing nature of contemporary service in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the experiences of ADF women over the past 20 years. Presented by special guest speaker Natalie Merryman, this talk will delve into the reforms and policy changes that have opened possibilities for women in the ADF, the accomplishments of contemporary ADF women, and the lack of real recognition of women as veterans in the community. Natalie will discuss her research project and findings to illustrate why this is, what the consequences are, and what needs to change to address the issue. Natalie Merryman is a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Newcastle, focusing on the gendered experiences of women veterans in the ADF. A military veteran herself, Natalie brings a wealth of practical experience to her research having worked as a Registered Nurse and a volunteer Military Compensation Advocate. Natalie is deeply embedded in the veteran community, having served with a number of veteran support organisations and is also a casual Research Assistant with the Open Door Veteran Research Initiative at Flinders University. Natalie has also achieved notable academic success and was winner of the Student of the Year award at the Veteran, Emergency Services & Police Industry Institute of Australia (VESPIIA) 2024 Excellence Awards. During 2024, Natalie presented her research at the DVA Women Veterans’ Policy Forum, Scottish International Conference on Armed Forces in Society and also at the Australian Women’s and Gender Studies Association Biannual Conference. She has also been invited to present her research at the UK Centre for Military Women’s Research 2025 conference at Cambridge University. Natalie has spent over 20 years advocating for veterans and defence personnel. Her motivation stems from a deep commitment to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion. She aims to use her research to inform policies and interventions that improve outcomes for veterans and their families including efforts to end veteran suicide. After the talk, visitors can stay to explore the Memorial Galleries, embarking on an interactive journey from the First World War to today, before taking time to reflect on the remarkable stories of bravery and sacrifice in the tranquil parklands. Anzac Square Memorial Galleries is located at 285 Ann Street, Brisbane. Entry is through the double brass doors located beneath the Shrine of Remembrance.

Join us at The Edge for the Transforming e-Waste workshop series with artist Suzon Fuks. Attend this hands-on workshop and learn to create a 3D artist book using recycled parts from electronic devices, combining storytelling with sculptural techniques. You'll explore how to fold, bind, and assemble materials such as circuit boards, wires, and casings into a multi-dimensional book form that invites interaction and sparks curiosity. This hands-on workshop series will transform and reveal the hidden world of intricate circuitry that powers our daily lives and inspire you to think about the impact of technology. You will learn: How to safely dismantle old electronic devices Facts about our electronic devices and e-waste How to create artist books out of the components Suzon offers an active reflection on the production process of electronic devices, planned obsolescence, disparity of goods, sustainability and recycling. In 2019, Suzon undertook a major decluttering of her studio and started opening up and stripping down old devices. She became intrigued by the exquisite electronics hidden inside phones, hard drives and other obsolete hardware, and was inspired to use these components as artistic materials. Since then, Suzon regularly volunteers at e-Waste Connection (a social recycling enterprise), making imaginative original jewellery and wearable designs, artist books, videos and performance - breathing new life into old devices that have been ethically collected from local sources. By transforming these components, she invites us to consider ethical and environmental issues and explore ways to divert material from landfills to transform our trash into treasure. Check out the other workshop in this series: Workshop 2: Recycled Electronic Sculptures | 1-5pm |Saturday 28 June REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS WORKSHOP Participants must be over 16 years of age Enclosed, flat footwear must be worn at all times in the Innovation lab. BEFORE YOU BOOK Please read through our Getting Started at The Edge page which includes terms of use. You’ll find answers to age restrictions, what to bring, what to do if you’re running late, refunds and more. Please become a State Library member before you arrive. If you already have a State Library member account, make sure you know your login details as you may be required to login during the workshop to access State Library computers, and to make bookings for equipment. Please contact us if you need support to participate in this event and consult State Library of Queensland's conditions of entry before making your booking. To find out more about what else is on offer, read up on The Edge and our make and design space. You can also subscribe to be the first to know about our future events. Suzon Fuks is a multidisciplinary artist. Last January, she made an installation 'e-Galaxy' at the State Library of Queensland in the Knowledge Walk, offering public activations and workshops. She has been awarded the 3-year Australia Council for the Arts Fellowship, a Copeland Fellowship at the Five Colleges in Massachusetts, a Fellowship at the Australian Choreographic Centre, and an Asialink Residency in India.

Level 4 at State Library is home to its heritage and extraordinary collections. In the Philip Bacon Heritage Gallery you will find the exhibition Extraordinary stories featuring a rotating selection of stories about ordinary Queenslanders whose lives were anything but. These are stories worth telling, stories worth hearing, stories worth collecting, drawn from State Library's collections to tell us more about Queensland and the lives lived here. Also on level 4, you will find the Talbot Family Treasures Wall featuring a changing selection of items from State Library's heritage collections. The John Oxley Library has collected, preserved and shared Queensland’s collective memory since 1934 and the Talbot Family Treasures Wall is where you can view items of state significance. Each item on display here reveals a remarkable story, and together, they help deepen our understanding of Queensland’s diverse lifestyle, landscape, culture and community. Free Curator's tours of both these spaces are held monthly. Join one of our specialist curators to discover the unknown stories and hidden gems of State Library's collections. Book your space now!