News & Stories
State Library news and stories from the items in our collection.
Story Topics
SLWA on ABC Radio
Join Dr Kate as she explores the life and cultural legacy of WA writer Randolph Stow.
News
The State Library of Western Australia and Screenwest are pleased to announce the WA Reflections – Our History Rediscovered short documentary production initiative, designed to share Western Australian culture and stories with the community, is back for 2022.
The Red Witch
SLWA on ABC Radio
Dr Kate explores the archives and writing of Katharine Susannah Prichard (1883-1969) with her biographer Dr Nathan Hobby. Katharine Susannah Prichard is one of Australia’s most beloved authors, who depicted a new vision of Australia within her writing.
SLWA on ABC Radio
Join Dr Kate as she delves into the Serventy family archives held by the State Library.
Reading can take you anywhere
News
Inviting students from Kindergarten to Year 10 to uncover great mysteries through the world of books. The challenge is to log 12 or more book titles from now until to 9 September 2022.
Joan a sex worker in the 1940s
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
ABC Perth radio interview with Jules Kim, the CEO of the Scarlett Alliance, about Joan who was a sex worker and ran brothels in Perth in the 1940s and 50s.
A sonic reimagining of WA history
News
The winning submission is by Sze Tsang, who releases music under the name Samarobryn.
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Dr Kate and Julie Raffaele, discuss her research into the Smelters' Camp (aka Robb Jetty Camp) - a transient person's campsite that existed for over half a century (1898 to 1960) among the dunes of Cockburn Sound and was originally an Aboriginal gathering place.
Australia’s first female Labor parliamentarian
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Join Dr Kate as she explores the extraordinary life of May Holman, Australia’s first female Labor parliamentarian, a member of the WA Legislative Assembly from 1925 -1939.
Small towns & regional cities
Wongan Hills is located 185km from Perth in the Shire of Wongan – Balidu in the Wheatbelt region. The shire falls within the traditional lands of the Ballardong Noongar and Yued Noongar people.
Stories
To celebrate the Harmony Week theme 'Everybody Belongs', we are sharing the stories of the people that bring the Library's spaces to life.
Aboriginal stories
Photographs and films
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Sadie Canning (nee Corner) was Western Australia's first Aboriginal nurse. She was a member of the Stolen Generations and grew up at Mount Margaret Mission in the north eastern goldfields.