iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

How does artist Shannon Slee use fabric to disrupt the coldness of archival records? Explore our Creative in Residence exhibition ‘Rewind Forward’ online: artsandculture.google.com/story/iQURsq...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Building plans and old rate books are among more than 1,500 archives from regional Victoria that have been added to the public collection in the last 2 months. From Warrnambool to Colac, Mildura and Bendigo! Learn more about these recent record transfers on our blog: prov.vic.gov.au/about-us/our...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

History isn’t static. See how 5 contemporary artists have used Victoria’s public archive to uncover unexpected connections to our past. Explore ‘Rewind Forward’ online now: artsandculture.google.com/story/iQURsq...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Things to look for in October: 🌿Birds 🌿Wildflowers 🌿Rainbows And… HISTORY MONTH! Visit us throughout History Month to research our collection and explore our exhibitions showcasing this diverse history: prov.vic.gov.au Image: Educational Chart No 7. VPRS 14517/P1/41, P334.

a chart that shows wildlife and birds to look for in October

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

In the latest episode of our Look History in the Eye podcast, Australian feminist and changemaker Dr Jo Wainer AM reflects on the campaign she and her husband Bertram led in 1968 to end Victoria's deadly backyard abortion industry. Listen now: prov.vic.gov.au/podcast-epis...

a photo of women protesting with the words episode 19: Victoria's abortion racket Dr Jo Wainer on the 1968 campaign to end backyard abortion

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

It’s hard to imagine the AFL Grand Final without the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). But did you know that in the 1980s, the Victorian Football League considered moving the grand final to VFL Park? Historic Cabinet records reveal how the Government stepped in: prov.vic.gov.au/about-us/our...

aerial photo of the MCG with a quote 'The Government believes that the VFL grand final must remain at the Melbourne Cricket Ground'

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This is part 2 of our Auslan A-Z, celebrating the International Day of Sign Languages. Thanks for sharing Andy!

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

International Day of Sign Languages is held on 23 September each year, but at the Victorian Archives Centre, we use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) every day. Here, Andy from our Access Services team, shares common research terms. See how many you can learn! Stay tuned this afternoon for O-Z.

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The day Samson Cornwall died, his wife Annie, and their farmhand Prato, notified authorities. They claimed he’d been sick a few days before passing away. Yet, suspicions quickly grew among their Karkarook neighbours that all wasn’t as it seemed… prov.vic.gov.au/about-us/our...

a mugshot for a man with a moustache and top hat

a mugshot for a young woman with her hair tied back

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Who was the legendary Max Du Barry? Comics journalist Sam Wallman delved into the archives to uncover the story of Melbourne's late, great, drag queen wharfie. Find out what he discovered at his upcoming Victorian Archives Centre talk, Thurs 24 September. Book: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sam-wallma...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

What happened when 1970s construction workers downed tools to defend heritage, housing, the environment and queer communities? Sam Wallman has been researching this fascinating chapter of our history for his upcoming book ‘All Out: Pink Bans and Blue Collars.’

Comic panel by Sam Wallman showing the BLF workers, the word 'democracy' made out of bricks and a banner that says "Support BLF Green Bans"

Two comic panels by Sam Wallman. The top panel shows workers on a construction site against a black background. The lower panel shows a close up of the same site with a sign saying "on strike" with leaves blowing in the wind and a cobweb.

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Did you know the Victorian Archives Centre is now close to 3 train stations? If you haven’t visited in a while, you may not have experienced the new Arden Station, just a 10-minute walk to our door! Check out the many ways you can reach us at: prov.vic.gov.au/public-trans...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

How does comics journalist Sam Wallman use graphic storytelling for confronting hard truths? In Sam’s words, ‘we should wring history out like a wet towel’. Book your ticket now for our event with Sam Wallman on 24 September: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sam-wallma...

Illustration of a worker in a hard hat wringing out a wet towel. The text says "We shouldn't seek to replicate the past, but we should try to learn from it as much as we can. We should wring history out like a wet towel."

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Explore the Victorian Government Archive on your phone. PROVisualizer helps you explore the Victorian Government Archive through an interactive bubble chart. We’re excited to announce that you can now use it on your mobile devices. 🔎 prov.vic.gov.au/about-us/our...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Did you know at PROV we receive more than 10,000 orders for wills and probates every year? If you’re starting your family history journey this Family History Month, wills and probates are a great place to start. Start exploring: prov.vic.gov.au/explore-coll...

a will document for Sarah Deborah Broyer

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

How can comics and graphic storytelling transform investigations of historical archives into hard-hitting narratives? Join us on 24 September to hear award-winning illustrator and journalist Sam Wallman in conversation at the Victorian Archives Centre and online www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sam-wallma...

Sam Wallman being interviewed in his studio

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Did you know a train was used to test potential World War 2 recruits?⁠ In 1940, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was in desperate need of recruits. ⁠They fit a train with medical rooms, offices and a phone – then off it went touring our state.⁠ Find the full set of photos: go.vic.gov.au/4pTbSEp

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Do you remember the Commonwealth Games mascots of 2006? This stunning series from our collection was used in the planning of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies. These drawings can be ordered for viewing in our reading room: prov.vic.gov.au/archive/VPRS...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Ever wondered what's behind the shelves? Our archivists are in the repository selecting records for Open House Melbourne. Discover your state archives with a free guided tour this Saturday: openhousemelbourne.org/event/victor...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

This only happens once a year! On Saturday 25 July, take a guided tour around the parts of the Victorian Archives Centre usually reserved for archivists. openhousemelbourne.org/event/victor...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

All aboard the Mount Buffalo Chalet bus, 1965! 🔎 Search Mount Buffalo for fascinating photographs depicting the region and the Chalet’s long history: go.vic.gov.au/4eWbobO

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Hundreds of new archives have been added to our collection ranging from photographs of community activities in Darebin to 1920s insolvency files and a 1930s register of autopsies. Learn more on our blog: prov.vic.gov.au/about-us/our...

a gloved hand holding a black and white photo

a hand holding an insolvency file take from a box full of files

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

For 5 decades, NAIDOC Week has been held every July to recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Celebrate at a NAIDOC event near you: www.naidoc.org.au/local-events... And discover histories from our archives: prov.vic.gov.au/about-uskoor...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

These images capture James Stirling's Geological Survey party among the mines of Korumburra in 1895. James Stirling was a government geologist. During this visit, he reported a total 35,755,511 tonnes of coal in the region. 📸 Discover more Korumburra Mines Department photos: go.vic.gov.au/4ouxdU4

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

From Camberwell to Footscray and Moonee Ponds...these were just three in a franchise of grocery stores run by Archibald Crofts (9 September 1875 – 20 May 1942). #SuburbsofMelbourne go.vic.gov.au/4oXljT1

a crofts store with a large preservene soap sign

a large sign across a store front that says big cash groceries

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Discover your archives! For Open House Melbourne we're opening the airlocked doors to the heart of the Victorian Archives Centre, the archival repository. Join a guided tour & take a peek inside the drawers, boxes & cabinets that our house our State collection openhousemelbourne.org/event/victor...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Sam Wallman installing new work at the Victorian Archives Centre - exploring the legacy of the 1970s Green and Pink Bans, when construction workers downed tools to protect heritage buildings, low-income housing, the environment, and persecuted queer communities. prov.vic.gov.au/whats/public...

Sam Wallman installing comic panels on the wall of the Victorian Archives Centre foyer.

Comic panel by Sam Wallman discussing his attitude to historical research.

Sam Wallman finishing a painting about the Pink Bans.

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

We celebrate the blurry and beautiful Flinders Street Station, c1920s-30s, this cold #TrainsPlanesAutomobiles Tuesday. Search 'Flinders' on our photo wall for more: prov.vic.gov.au/photowall 📸 VPRS 12800/P0003.

black and white entrance to the train station with people in the background blurred

a blurry image of an exit at the station with the words 'WAY OUT'

a section of the station with people blurred

a blurred woman waiting at the station near an advertising sign

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

🧵Armenian women grind grain and spin cotton in today's beautiful #FashionFriday photo. 📷️ VPRS 14517/P0001/31, M553. go.vic.gov.au/3Ra3Mdp

smiling women in long skirts, shirts and scarves grind grain and spin cotton

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Do you want your research published? Submissions are now open for the 2027 issue of our Provenance journal. ➡️ prov.vic.gov.au/explore-coll...

a black and white photo of an old news stand with the words 'Provenance: call for papers'

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

PROV's online Map Warper was first launched back in 2019. Since then, it has become an invaluable site for researchers to explore changes to Victoria’s landscape over time. Our three-part blog series explores how Map Warper is used to delve into the history of place: prov.vic.gov.au/about-us/our...

a map with the words: with map warper us researchers are on warp speed when searching for and accessing copies of historic maps and plans

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Happy International Archives Week and Day #IAW2026! International Archives Week (8–12 June 2026) is an annual event that acknowledges archives around the world and their role in protecting rights, memories and futures. 📸 Royal Melbourne Show, 1958. VPRS 14517/P1, Unit 25, H461.

a group of people gathered around a picnic table at the Royal Show

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

It's 1867 and Victorian physicians Dr. McCrea and Mr. Hutchison supply responses to a world-wide survey about leprosy. What results is the 'Report on Leprosy by the Royal College of Physicians prepared for Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for the Colonies.'

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

"She had a magnetic presence. You really wanted to be around her and wanted to be part of whatever change she was creating." How is Joan Kirner remembered, 36 years on from becoming our first female Premier? Read our latest blog post: go.vic.gov.au/4dIM0FF

Black and white photograph of Joan Kirner in 1989 in a crowd of children.

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

An assortment of historic church and marine records, Darebin, Pyrenees and Nillumbik council records, Omeo and Cassilis court registers and commercial building plans are among recent transfers to PROV's collection. Learn more about these most recent additions to our collection: go.vic.gov.au/4dKr69k

an old unfolded marine register of deaths

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Family history researcher Neil is a descendant of Mary and William Oliver. At just 16, Mary was convicted to hang in the UK, but was then transported to Van Diemen's land for a life sentence. She escaped the convict system and married William in 1834...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Provenance 2026 is now online! Provenance is our free annual online journal featuring articles that utilise records from our vast historic collection to tell stories of Victoria's past. Read the issue now: go.vic.gov.au/4cOkd7D

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Our Map Warper expert, Asa Letourneau, was pleased to host a workshop as part of Melton's Heritage Festival on Wednesday. The Festival continues through to 9 May with fascinating author talks, tours and workshops all related to Melton and Victorian history. 🎟️ www.melton.vic.gov.au/Out-n-About/...

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

To celebrate Chinese Language Day we re-share episode 10 of our Look History in the Eye podcast. In this episode, Anna Kyi explains the importance of 19th Century Victorian Chinese petitions in understanding the Australian Chinese immigrant experience of the goldfields. go.vic.gov.au/4mBZpDA

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Our latest episode of Look History in the Eye, Melbourne follows Sean Reynolds into the archives, where his Melbourne Ghost Signs research leads him through criminal files and forgotten stories of women long overlooked. Listen through Spotify, Apple Podcasts or our website: go.vic.gov.au/4snv2SM

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Don’t miss the final weeks of ‘Rewind Forward’ at the Victorian Archives Centre! Drawing from the State’s rich archives, five artists reawaken Victoria’s historical narrative: Emile Zile, Sam Wallman, Shannon Slee, Susan Fitzgerald, and Queer-ways. bit.ly/4bWQgjX Photograph by Astrid Mulder.

A gallery installation with glass display cabinets in the front and a large black hanging cloth in the centre. Photographic, drawn and painted works are on the side walls.

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Now available to watch online! In Names in the Margins, author and historian Sean Reynolds uncovers the hidden lives of women revealed through his Melbourne Ghost Signs research. Watch on our YouTube channel: bit.ly/3MZreZb

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

It’s amazing what’s hidden in our glass plate negative collection! Our digitisation team have been busy scanning photographs of power stations, and they came across two beautiful portraits of an elegantly dressed woman. The images look slightly too casual to be official.

Black and white photograph in negative form of an early 20th century woman wearing a large hat.

Glass plate negatives and a cardboard box on a light-box.

Looking over the shoulder of a man at a computer. A black and white photograph of a woman from the early 20th century is on the computer screen.

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

What can rate records reveal about your family history? So much more than you might think! On our blog, researcher Harry Firns shares the story of his ancestor George Firns using Bendigo rate records from the 1850s: go.vic.gov.au/4bvW3wL

Row of old books. City of Bendigo is visible on the spine.

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

The man she had just read about in the paper was the man she was engaged to! Read The One Who Got Away in Provenance: bit.ly/40rK1iV

Black and white studio portrait of a woman in a formal Victorian dress.

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Whose histories endure, whose are erased and how should we reckon with them today? Join us at the Victorian Archives Centre or online for a panel talk hosted by Santilla Chingaipe. Book your ticket: bit.ly/4rHi0QB #womenshistorymonth #IWD2026

Black and white police photographs of a woman in the 1920s to 1930s wearing a felt hat and a long coat.

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

In 1971, women in this country couldn’t even apply for a bank loan, and they’d had enough! Read our latest blog post: go.vic.gov.au/4sQ7asr

Black and white photograph of a women's rights protest in the 1970s.

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Hosted by Santilla Chingaipe, this Women's History Month talk brings together Dr Scarlette Nhi Do, Professor Zoë Laidlaw and PhD candidate Kacey Sinclair for a timely conversation about women’s influence in shaping Victoria’s past. Book your ticket: bit.ly/4rHi0QB

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Public Record Office Victoria @vicarchives.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Geoff Bell, barely in his twenties, was placed in a nursing home - but he refused to accept it! Read our latest blog post: go.vic.gov.au/4bDauRd #disabilityinclusion #disabilityactivism #archives

Quote that reads "We don't need a staircase to paradise. We want ramps to independence" Disability Activist Geoff Bell, 1978.

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