Autumn at State Library

Join us for a free exhibition tour of Dearly Departed.

Thought-provoking talks exploring death, dying and remembrance.

Hands-on workshops reflecting on memory, legacy and loss.

Make beautiful mobiles inspired by the wonders of the sky.

Build flying machines that swoop, spin and soar.

Play with paint to create out-of-this-world artworks.

Thoughtful talks with experts, offering clear context and insight into today’s big and small questions.

Death Café is a facilitated gathering that offers a welcoming, informal space for open conversation about death, dying, and mortality, over tea and coffee.Following an internationally recognised model, this session brings people together in small groups to talk, listen and reflect. There is no agenda and no expectation to speak. Conversations are gently supported by trained facilitators, allowing participants to engage in ways that feel comfortable and respectful.Rather than offering instruction or expertise, Death Café encourages curiosity, shared stories and thoughtful discussion, helping to normalise conversations about death and reduce isolation around a topic often avoided.This event runs in conjunction with Dearly Departed: death in life, State Library’s exhibition drawing on rich collections of objects and stories to explore how social, cultural, spiritual, historical and political forces have shaped Queenslanders’ attitudes to death and dying. Attendees are encouraged to visit the exhibition before or after the event to deepen their engagement with its themes and artworks.Credit: Death Café was founded by Jon Underwood, based on the work of Bernard Crettaz. deathcafe.com/Content noteThis event engages with themes of death, dying, memory and remembrance. Content may include personal stories or discussion that some people may find emotionally affecting. You’re welcome to participate at your own pace and to step away or take a break at any time.Some events may also include references to people who have since passed, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Image: Funeral of Waysl Holojad, first conductor of the Ukrainian Association of Queensland Choir, South Brisbane Cemetery, Dutton Park, 1952, 1952, unidentified, 31360 Roman and Alexandra Pavlyshyn papers, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 31360-0009-0008.

Join us for a 30 minute thematic tour of Dearly Departed: death in life with special guests.Thu 9 April 10–10:45 am - Navin Sam Regi Thu 7 May 10–10:45 am- Kellie O’Dempsey Thu 4 June 10–10:45 am - Navin Sam Regi Thu 2 July 10–10:45 am - Robyn Hamilton Thu 30 July 10–10:45 am - Merinda Davies Navin Sam Regi is an award‑winning documentary producer, multimedia journalist, and digital storytelling specialist whose work amplifies marginalised voices through community‑focused journalism and innovative oral‑history projects. He is the founder of Talking Stories, collaborating on major initiatives such as the Indian Diaspora Oral History Project with the National Library of Australia. Sam is also a Teaching Associate at the University of Queensland, coordinating courses in social justice storytelling and media strategy. Merinda Davies is a performance‑based artist whose practice spans movement, installation, conversation, and physical theatre. Merinda grew up on Bundjalung Country and now works on Yugambeh land in South East Queensland. Her work explores care, intimacy, ecological structures, and the emotional landscapes of human and more‑than‑human experience. Working across solo and collaborative formats, she has been commissioned by institutions including the Institute of Modern Art, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Outerspace, and The Walls. Kellie O’Dempsey is an Australian artist known for immersive, site‑generated installations and live performance drawing that integrate projection, video, collage, gestural line, digital drawing and collaborative improvisation. O’Dempsey has presented performances at major events including the 18th Biennale of Sydney, MONA FOMA, White Night Melbourne, and the National Gallery of Australia. A PhD graduate from Queensland College of Art, she has exhibited widely across Australia and internationally and is represented by Jan Manton Galleries in Brisbane.Robyn Hamilton leads the Collection Building and Interpretation team of Queensland Memory at State Library. Robyn and her team select, acquire, commission or receive as donation content both old and new in order to grow the John Oxley Library collection, and ensure a diverse and representative documentary record of Queensland and its people. Robyn has a background in music librarianship, and a particular interest in State Library's WWI collections.About the exhibition:Death is a universal experience. It will come to us all. Yet the way we confront, discuss, experience and ultimately reckon with death, and the realities of dying, varies enormously. Culturally diverse traditions and practices around death offer unique insights into how communities around the world honour and mourn their loved ones, shaping vastly different experiences and understandings of life’s final chapter.Throughout the 20th century, death became a quiet taboo; something rarely spoken of, despite touching every life. Positioned at the powerful intersection of history, art and emotion, Dearly Departed encourages audiences to reflect on what it means to live well, die well and honour those who came before us. It reframes death not as an ending, but as a profound and enduring part of Queensland’s living story.Innovative, accessible, and deeply human, Dearly Departed: death in life invites visitors into a bold exploration of mortality across Queensland’s past, present and future. Through rich historical insight, evocative artistic interpretation and interactive design, the exhibition sparks meaningful conversation about life, death and the memories we hold.The exhibition examines the social, cultural, spiritual, historical and political forces that have shaped Queenslanders’ experiences and attitudes toward death and dying – then and now.Join us as we rediscover how confronting death helps us better understand life itself.Where: Meet at the entrance to slq Gallery, level 2, State Library of Queensland.Please note: There is no need to bring a printed ticket, instead when you arrive your name will be checked off on a registration list. The exhibition is accessible, but should you have any questions please contact exhibitions@slq.qld.gov.auDearly Departed: death in life and engages with themes of death, dying, memory and remembrance. Content may include personal stories, imagery, sound or discussion that some people may find emotionally affecting. You’re welcome to participate at your own pace and to step away or take a break at any time.Some events may also include references to, or recordings of, people who have since passed, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Image: Ravenswood Cemetery, Ravenswood, 1966, Richard Stringer (b.1936–), 33218 Richard Stringer Architectural Photography Archive, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 0805.

Join us for a tour of the Through Mununjali eyes: photojournalist Wayne Coolwell showcase in kuril dhagun.Free First Nations led showcase tours are held fortnightly and alternate with free tours led by a special guest.About the exhibition:Wayne Coolwell was a trailblazer of his generation and a powerful voice for his people. A proud Mununjali man with a sharp eye for a story, he captured moments that bridged cultures and inspired connection. Known affectionately as the “Cool Cat of journalism,” Wayne moved effortlessly among the greats, between the media and community, treating every encounter as part of his day’s work behind the lens and microphone.Respected by his peers and cherished by audiences nationwide, Wayne was among the first Aboriginal voices to grace Australia’s airwaves. His talent, humility and fearless curiosity made him a true pioneer.This showcase celebrates Wayne’s life and legacy through his own photography, revealing the people, places, and moments that shaped his remarkable journey. It invites audiences to remember not only his professional achievements but the warmth, wit and cultural pride that made him unforgettable.Through Mununjali eyes brings together 5 decades of Wayne’s photographs, honouring his legacy – where story, culture, and connection continue to resonate across generations.Where: Meet at the entrance to kuril dhagun, level 1, State Library of Queensland.Please note: There is no need to bring a printed ticket, instead when you arrive your name will be checked off on a registration list. The exhibition is accessible, but should you have any questions please contact exhibitions@slq.qld.gov.auSubscribe to be the first to know about our future events.Please consult our conditions of entry before making your booking.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.

Join us for a free exhibition tour of Dearly Departed: death in life. Tours are held monthly and alternate with Dearly Departed: death in life thematic tours by special guests. About the exhibition:Death is a universal experience. It will come to us all. Yet the way we confront, discuss, experience and ultimately reckon with death, and the realities of dying, varies enormously. Culturally diverse traditions and practices around death offer unique insights into how communities around the world honour and mourn their loved ones, shaping vastly different experiences and understandings of life’s final chapter.Throughout the 20th century, death became a quiet taboo; something rarely spoken of, despite touching every life. Positioned at the powerful intersection of history, art and emotion, Dearly Departed encourages audiences to reflect on what it means to live well, die well and honour those who came before us. It reframes death not as an ending, but as a profound and enduring part of Queensland’s living story.Innovative, accessible, and deeply human, Dearly Departed: death in life invites visitors into a bold exploration of mortality across Queensland’s past, present and future. Through rich historical insight, evocative artistic interpretation and interactive design, the exhibition sparks meaningful conversation about life, death and the memories we hold.The exhibition examines the social, cultural, spiritual, historical and political forces that have shaped Queenslanders’ experiences and attitudes toward death and dying – then and now.Join us as we rediscover how confronting death helps us better understand life itself.Where: Meet at the entrance to slq Gallery, level 2, State Library of Queensland.Please note: There is no need to bring a printed ticket, instead when you arrive your name will be checked off on a registration list. The exhibition is accessible, but should you have any questions please contact exhibitions@slq.qld.gov.au.Content: Dearly Departed: death in life and engages with themes of death, dying, memory and remembrance. Content may include personal stories, imagery, sound or discussion that some people may find emotionally affecting. You’re welcome to participate at your own pace and to step away or take a break at any time.Some events may also include references to, or recordings of, people who have since passed, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.Image: Gravestones overlooking Moreton Bay, 1957, Bull, J., John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Negative 199972.

Join us for a tour of level 4.Discover more on level 4 at State Library, home to our rare and remarkable heritage collections.In the Philip Bacon Heritage Gallery you will learn more about the exhibition Extraordinary stories featuring a rotating selection of stories about ordinary Queenslanders whose lives were anything but. These are stories worth collecting, stories worth hearing and stories worth telling, drawn from the 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 these spaces are held monthly. Join one of a specialist curators to discover the unknown stories and hidden gems of State Library’s collections.Book your space now!Meet: at the entrance to the Heritage Gallery suite on Level 4, State Library of Queensland

This conversation asks the question what happens to our digital selves when we die? Much of contemporary life is now recorded in data, images and online interactions, shaping how we are remembered and memorialised. From archived social media accounts to AI-generated avatars, new technologies are reshaping how we remember, grieve, and potentially reanimate, those who have died. Join us for a panel discussion that brings together leading voices to examine the culture, ethical and social implications of digital remains, including consent, data stewardship and digital legacy. This event runs in conjunction with Dearly Departed: death in life, State Library’s exhibition drawing on rich collections of objects and stories to explore how social, cultural, spiritual, historical and political forces have shaped Queenslanders’ attitudes to death and dying. Attendees are encouraged to visit the exhibition before or after the event to deepen their engagement with its themes and artworks.Facilitator:Tegan TaylorTegan Taylor is a health and science reporter for the ABC and co-host of the multi-award-winning Coronacast. She is the current host of Life Matters on Radio National and has previously co-hosted the multi-award-winning Coronacast, as well as the Health Report, Ockham's Razor and Quick Smart. She's received a Walkley Award, the Eureka Prize for Science Journalism and her work has appeared in the Best of Australian Science Writing. She's a regular on ABC Radio National's Health Report, and has been known to pop up on RN Life Matters, Triple J and in the Best of Australian Science Writing. In 2020, Coronacast won a Walkley award and the Eureka Prize for Science Journalism. Tegan was previously a producer on the ABC's national digital newsdesk, a journalism lecturer at The University of Queensland and, long ago, a newspaper reporter.Panellists:Dr Leah Henrickson Dr Leah Henrickson is a Senior Lecturer in Digital Media and Cultures at the University of Queensland. She is the author of Reading Computer-Generated Texts (Cambridge University Press, 2021) and other peer-reviewed articles about how we understand text generation systems and output, artificial intelligence and digital media environments. Dr Henrickson has published extensively on artificial intelligence and language models, and shared her expertise on podcasts about the digital afterlife and grief bots including Death and Law: Digital Afterlife, and CSIRO Everyday AI: AI and relationships – the human connection. Dr Henrickson is an active member of the University of Aberdeen's Death and Law: Interdisciplinary Explorations research group which re-examines legal perspectives on death using insights from other disciplines. Dr Sarah WinchDr Sarah Winch brings extensive expertise in community and professional death literacy and has published numerous works including two books on how to have the best death possible in Australia as well encouraging Death Cafes and the inaugural Death Festival in Brisbane. She is the former head of Medical Ethics, Law and Professionalism at the University of Queensland completed ethics internships in St Vincents Hospital Manhattan, Yale University and the Hastings Center in New York state. Her expertise is regularly sought in Australia and internationally, when advanced knowledge of ethics is required. Now retired, Dr Winch shares her extensive experience through speaking engagementsBrett Leavy Brett Leavy is a proud First Nations descendant of the Kooma people of western Queensland, Australia. A visionary in digital storytelling and interactive media, Brett has dedicated his career to the virtual reconstruction of First Nations cultural heritage, knowledge and history. His work brings to life immersive, interactive experiences that authentically represent Indigenous traditions, landscapes and stories. As the Director of Bilbie XR Labs, Brett leads a pioneering team in developing Virtual Songlines, an advanced software development kit built on Unreal Engine 5. This innovative platform enables the gamification of topographically accurate landscapes, creating cultural "time machines" where users can engage with traditional knowledge through virtual custodians. Content noteThis event forms part of Dearly Departed: death in life and engages with themes of death, dying, memory and remembrance. Content may include personal stories, imagery, sound or discussion that some people may find emotionally affecting. You’re welcome to participate at your own pace and to step away or take a break at any time.Some events may also include references to, or recordings of, people who have since passed, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We’re flipping the idea of our Queensland Architecture in Miniature series and focusing on the outdoors and 3D printing! Revert to childhood or grab a mate and join us for our Skate Park version across three sessions. 1 - 5 pm Saturday 30 May1 - 5 pm Saturday 13 June1 - 5 pm Saturday 27 JuneDuring the workshops you will get inspired by the history of skateboarding in Queensland, looking through the research of State Library Fellow, Dr Indigo Willing. You’ll also learn how to design for 3D printing and receive an induction into The Edge 3D printers. Inspired by Queensland skate parks, you will work with 3D printed moulds and plaster to build your base skate bowl and all the tools to decorate and design your own skate park. Key outcomes of this workshop series; Learning how to use 3D scanning with mobile app (using the Edge iPads or own devices) to capture objects and environments Learn how to 3D model basic geometry, edit pre-existing or scanned models to create 3D models for your own skate park Learn how to create a silicon mould and plaster to create your own skate bowl to decorate Get a 3D printer induction as part of the process! Take home your own Queensland Miniature Skate ParkPlease note this workshop is not for children, as it is an adult learning structured program, over 16s can attend. We recommend you attend all sessions, as each one builds on the previous one. No special skills are required, just intermediate computer knowledge. Bring your creativity, ideas, and enthusiasm to each fortnightly workshop! BEFORE YOU BOOK Participants must be over 16 years of age. 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.

Open lab will be closed on Saturday, the 25th of April 2026.Are you a maker, designer or fabricator? Or are you someone interested in learning new skills and getting hands on with digital and fabrication resources?This is your chance to get creative during our Open lab sessions at The Edge, and engage with a community of like-minded creators.Open lab is when the creative equipment at The Edge is available to be booked for the public to use for free, you just need to undertake the necessary induction so can you learn all the safety and booking requirements. Open lab is facilitated by staff who are able to support you with the range of software available in the Digital Media Lab, fabrication and design tips, and point you in the direction of other community makers or further resources for your creative projects.Please note, equipment bookings are required for all Open lab sessions, including Hack the evening, our community meetup. Every Wednesday 12 – 5 pmEvery Thursday 1:30 – 8 pm (join us for Hack the evening from 5 pm)Every Saturday 12 noon – 5 pm WHAT EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE DURING OPEN LAB? The following resources are available to book for free once the appropriate equipment induction has been undertaken, some materials are at an additional cost: Two laser cutters (Laser Induction required - $45)Prusa 3D printers (3D printer Induction required - $45)Vinyl cutter (General Induction required - Free)Sewing machines, overlocker and embroidery machine (Sewing Induction required - $45)Electronics benches included soldering stations (Electronics Induction required - $45)Hand tools and electronics repair tools (General Induction required - Free) General and Safety Inductions required. Requirements Head to our Getting started at The Edge page and read through our Terms of use and FAQs.

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