PMI Victorian History Library

There’s a photo, a memory or a good story in our collection that means something to you.

At the PMI Victorian History Library we put the history of Melbourne and Victoria on display and see to its upkeep. We can’t do it without some help from the community, though. Your donation is what allows us to tend to the collection, back research and make sure this kind of local history is there for those who come after us.

If you’re with a library, museum, historical society or any heritage group, you know well enough that being a steward of the past isn’t some vague notion. It’s down-to-earth work and it has to be done.

We’d be grateful if you put some support behind us: https://www.pmi.net.au/donations/adapting-st-edmonds-to-your-needs/

It's Pride Month, so Clementine is going to be exploring our q***r collections for June. This week she has brought along her friend Esmerelda the wombat, to show off our main pride display (put together by our current placement student- but Clementine provided the moral support).

Have you discovered a relative who served in the military, but don’t know where to start?

This family history workshop at PMI Victorian History Library will guide you step by step through understanding and using military records.

Led by experienced researcher Wendy Eldridge, you will learn how to locate records, interpret service documents, and follow a soldier’s journey through time and place. From decoding abbreviations and ranks to exploring ANZAC history and wider genealogy research, this session gives you the tools to turn information into meaningful stories.

You will also learn how to preserve and share what you discover with your family.

📅 Wed 24 Jun | 🕡 10:30am
📍 PMI Victorian History Library
🎟️ Book your ticket today: https://brushfire.com/pmivictorianhistorylibrary/FHWMilitary/622595

# FamilyHistoryWorkshop

Your good luck

Named after prominent Australian writer Miles Franklin, whose first name was Stella, the Stella Prize is an annual major literary award for Australian women and non-binary writers that has been running since 2013. The 2026 longlist was announced in March and consists of twelve books, six of which were selected for April’s shortlist, and the winner of the 2026 Stella Prize was announced on the 13th of May.

As proponents of Australian literature, we at the PMI Victorian History Library aim to collect the longlists of major Australian and Victorian literary prizes, including the Stella Prize, and so we are highlighting all six shortlisted books in our latest blog post. Those with links can be borrowed from our library.

There's a graphic novel, a memoir, novels, poetry and essays – which ones catch your eye?

🔗 Blog post: https://www.pmi.net.au/2026-stella-prize/

It was all you Penny Woodward! :D

Thank you for sharing with our library community your years of knowledge, and all the herb and plant clippings! Never has our events room smelt so good.

We were so pleased to have such wonderful speakers in our library for National Archaeology Week.

Thank you to Dr Vincent Clark Archaeology & Heritage Pty Ltd, The University of Melbourne Conservation Services, RBA Architects and Conservation Consultants and Ecology and Heritage Partners for lending us your knowledgeable staff!

And thank you to Australian Archaeological Association for your support of our events.

On Tuesday, Dr Vincent Clark Archaeology & Heritage staff Dr Michelle Negus Cleary, Ramona Angelico and Jaimi Houston, together with conservators Dr Holly Jones-Amin & Ma**ca Mucic of the Grimwade Conservation Services at the University of Melbourne celebrated National Archaeology Week with their presentation ‘Revealing the Hidden: Historical Archaeology and Conservation of Unique Artefacts from 19th Century Melbourne’ at the PMI Victorian History Library.

The event was attended by researchers, historians, educators, archaeologists, heritage professionals and members of the community interested in Melbourne’s history.

The talk presented the results of the archaeological investigations of two unique artefact discoveries. The first focused on the excavation and conservation of a rare timber barrel from Little Lonsdale Street, demonstrating how adaptive strategies can stabilise fragile objects while revealing historical evidence. The second find was the remarkable preservation of more than 200 shoes from the former West Melbourne Swamp that provides tangible insights into social identity, occupation and class of late 19th century Melbourne.

The talk focused on the collaborative process between archaeologists and conservators that provided excellent results for the recovery, documentation and stabilisation of fragile artefacts. The talk also increased awareness of the roles that archaeology and object conservation play in safeguarding cultural heritage.

Attendees enjoyed learning about the processes of archaeological investigation from the site to the lab. A particular highlight was seeing a sample of the conserved nineteenth-century shoes recovered from the former West Melbourne Swamp on display.

You can view the recording of the presentation here: http://bit.ly/4uPLbm5

Thank you to the PMI for hosting the event, to Heritage Victoria for their support and the Grimwade Conservation Services, University of Melbourne for their collaboration and the Australian Archaeological Association for their grant supporting the event.

With International Day of Potato coming up, Clementine has been delving into some of our potato related history. Luna has been insisting to Clementine that, despite a similar shape, she is not in fact a potato.

Our Collections Librarian Ellen had the delight of presenting a five year volunteer award this week. Amanda has been a volunteer since 2021. She started out with the Friends and in that time has worked on 10 book sales, two showcases, helped in the book shop and, since moving to the general volunteer program, has been working on updating subjects and Dewey. In that role she's worked on : religious books, school books, Mornington Peninsula books and more. She's also been instrumental in setting up our community gardens, feeding the worms in our worm farm, and keeping our indoor plants in the foyer alive. Thanks Amanda for everything you've done over the last five years

How well do you really know the history of your local area?

The Mechanics’ Institutes Resource Centre holds an extraordinary collection of historical archives, including photographs, minute books, records and objects connected to more than 130 mechanics institutes across Victoria.

Join Heather Arnold, a passionate advocate for local history research, as she shares how this rich collection can help you uncover the stories behind your community.

Whether you are exploring Melbourne history, tracing your family history, or simply curious about the past, this session will open the door to new discoveries. You may even find a connection you didn’t expect.

📅 Tue 16 Jun | 🕡 2 pm
📍 PMI Victorian History Library
🎟️ Book your ticket today: https://brushfire.com/pmivictorianhistorylibrary/MIRC/625666