State Library of Queensland

Explore the history of some of Brisbane's historic homes commandeered to house people and provide working environments during World War II. In 1942, Brisbane's modest population of 335,000 was greatly affected as US servicemen flooded the city following the rapid expansion of Japanese forces throughout the Pacific. This sudden expansion necessitated the building of camps to accommodate troops and the commandeering of many buildings to house people and provide working environments. Explore the history of some of Brisbane’s historic homes commandeered by the Australian and U.S. forces during World War II to assist the war effort. After the talk, visitors can stay to explore the Memorial Galleries - embarking on an interactive journey from World War I to today, before taking time to reflect on the remarkable stories of bravery and sacrifice in the tranquil parklands.

Research Reveals Research Reveals is a talk series showcasing research projects of the 2020 Queensland Memory Awards fellows, residents and award winners. Gain a unique insight into Queensland history and the collections of the John Oxley Library in this series of fascinating talks. You will have the opportunity to be part of an exclusive event as fellows present the research they have undertaken over the previous 12 months.   Bogimbah Creek Mission: The First Aboriginal Experiment: book launch by Fiona Foley As the Inaugural Monica Clare Research Fellow, Dr Foley’s research project, Bogimbah Creek Mission: the First Aboriginal Experiment retells a significant yet forgotten aspect of Queensland’s history.  From 1897 to 1904, Archibald Meston, first Protector of Aboriginals in Southern Queensland, removed 51 Badtjala people from Maryborough to Fraser Island to set up the Bogimbah Creek Mission as an experiment in segregation.   Dr Foley’s book of the same name, Bogimbah Creek Mission: the First Aboriginal Experiment, will be launched at the event by Associate Professor Sandra Phillips.   The book will be available for purchase on the night and copies will be signed by Fiona. Read Fiona's blogs for more: Dr Fiona Foley - Monica Clare Research Fellow When:  4 November 2021Time: 6.30pm - 7.30pmWhere: Auditorium 1, level 2 BOOK NOW   Women of the Great Barrier Reef Join Dr Deb Anderson and Associate Professor Kerrie Foxwell-Norton, 2020 John Oxley Library Fellows as they share their research from their project, The Women of the Great Barrier Reef: The Untold Stories of Environmental Conservation in Queensland.  Deb and Kerrie's project is inspired by the story of Terry Ridgway, who in 1966 quit her typing-pool job in Brisbane and moved to a remote island in the Great Barrier Reef. Aged 19, she became ‘the girl Robinson Crusoe’, living solo and spending her time studying marine life, aiming to identify the more than 1,500 species of Reef fish. Come and listen to Deb and Kerrie's research as they shine a light on the story of a selection of women who have been involved in the protection and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef, amplifying their voices and capturing a new side of the history of the reef, previously dominated by male voices and interpretation. Read Deb and Kerrie's blog for more: Terrie Ridgway and Fellowship Beginnings Digital story: Deb Anderson and Kerrie Foxwell-Norton. The Terry Ridgway Story Digital story: The Women of the Great Barrier Reef When: 24 November 2021Time: 6pm - 7pmWhere: Auditorium 2, level 2 BOOK NOW   Women diarists of colonial Queensland Join Dr Allison O'Sullivan, 2020 John Oxley Library Honorary Fellow as she shares her research from her project, In their own words: women diarists of colonial Queensland. Allison's project focuses on the diaries of three vastly different women in the 1880s, travelling to their new home Queensland. By starting from a point of commonality – the women's diaries – Allison traces their divergent trails through the history of the colony, following the fortunes and achievements of everyday women, and uses these individuals to illustrate the distinct paths of women migrants to colonial Queensland. Allison will also have a selection of these diaries out on display at her talk.  Read Allison's blogs for more: Getting to know you: Discovering colonial women's diaries in the John Oxley Library Drama on the high seas: the shipboard diary of Margaret Gray, 1883 Agnes Learmonth and the ‘Sons of Neptune’ When:  2 December 2021Time: 6pm - 7pmWhere: John Oxley Library Reading Room,  level 4 BOOK NOW   Musicians Should Be Heard and Not Seen: the life and music of Letty Katts (1919-2007). Join Narelle McCoy, 2020 Letty Katts Award recipient as she shares her research from her project, Musicians Should Be Heard and Not Seen: the life and music of Letty Katts (1919-2007) and her cultural contribution to the Australian music scene.  Narelle's project explores the contribution of Queensland-born composer Violet (Letty) Katts, to the musical landscape of Australia. Compositions such as her popular songs, Never Never and A Town Like Alice provided a distinctly Australian voice to a scene dominated by American culture. Letty was the first Australian to have an original song in the popular music hit parade during the 1950s, yet little is known about her. Read Narelle's blog for more: Who is Letty Katts? When: 19 January 2022Time: 6pm - 7pmWhere: Auditorium 2, level 2 BOOK NOW

The botanical world has inspired some of the most sumptuous illustrations to be found in the pages of books. The natural world, and plants in particular, drive our sense of harmony in design and reinforce our own connections to nature. Botanical motifs abound in the decorative arts, culminating in the 'art nouveau' movement of the early 20th century where their stylised form lent them great power. Our new display in the Australian Library of Art Showcase on level 4 features some of State Library's true treasures, drawn from the collections of the Australian Library of Art. From a 16th century woodblock and accompanying illustrated herbal, the luminous watercolours of pioneering 17th century female artist and scientist Maria Sybilla Merian and the striking book cover design by enfant terrible Aubrey Beardsley to a modern florilegium representing the 21st century's most deluxe publishing. Discover an extraordinary world of rare and beautiful botanical illustrations in the Australian Library of Art Showcase, level 4. Join a Queensland Memory Curator on our monthly Curator's Tours, including a mini White Gloves Experience, to learn about the stories behind these amazing works of art.