State Library of Queensland

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Join us on Sunday 9 August as we showcase the intimate and deeply human stories hidden between the pages of State Library's collections.Libraries and archives are treasure troves for wartime stories waiting to be shared. This talk, presented by Specialist Librarian India Dixon, will explore collections new and collections rediscovered, and detangle from the page and between the lines the remarkable stories of love, grief, survival, and war contained within.From prisoners-of-war to top-secret teenage cartographers, Queensland's records are full of unique and homegrown stories. Join India as she shares those stories, explains how they are interpreted within the collections, and why it is so important to preserve them for generations to come.If you've ever wanted to take a deep-dive into some of our most poignant wartime collections, this talk is for you!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.Anzac Square Memorial Galleries is located at 285 Ann Street, Brisbane. Entry is through the double brass doors located beneath the Shrine of Remembrance.Book now to secure your tickets.

Join us for a conversation with acclaimed Australian artist Helga Groves, whose multidisciplinary practice spans painting, sculpture, weaving, drawing and animation.Grounded in extensive research, Groves’ work explores deep geological time, natural phenomena and the physical properties of the environments she encounters. Through meticulous mark-making, layered tonal fields and abstract forms, her practice translates first-hand observations of diverse landscapes into immersive compositions that evoke the rhythm, luminosity and materiality of place.In this discussion with art historian Michele Helmrich, Groves will reflect on her creative process, the role of field research in shaping her work, and how memory, environment and abstraction continue to inform her evolving practice.About Portrait of an artistThis event is part of Portrait of an artist, a series showcasing the James C Sourris AM collection of artist interviews held at State Library. Audiences will experience a screening of Helga Groves' interview, followed by an in-conversation and Q&A session.Generously supported by James C Sourris AM through the Queensland Library Foundation.Image: Helga Groves studio portrait standing in front of a painting titled Undersea, 2026, photographer unknown.

At the start of many family history journeys is a key question: how did my family find their way to Queensland ? Join our staff as they guide you through practical steps to trace your ancestors’ journeys. You’ll learn how to begin your search, locate key records such as passenger lists, and interpret the clues they contain. This session will also cover the early beginnings of emigration to Queensland and explores some of the key immigration schemes that were available. Real-life case studies will bring these records to life, demonstrating how pieces of information can be joined together to uncover remarkable stories. By the end, you’ll have some tools to start, or deepen, your own exploration into Queensland’s early immigrant past. This event is part of our Family History Month program. Discover more events on the Family History Month webpage. Can't join us in person? The session will not be live streamed but will be recorded. You will be able to find the recording of the session on our Family History Month page after the event. We respect your privacy. Personal information we collect is used only for our internal activities and functions (Libraries Act 1988 (Qld)) and will not be disclosed unless required by law. For more information, please read State Library's privacy statement.