Recent Stories
These stories come from the items in our collection.
(1876 – 1968)
SLWA on ABC Radio
Listen to Dr Kate explore the legacy of Kathleen O’Connor and her significance as an artist with a distinctive body of work as a painter, through the State Library’s private archive collection.
Aboriginal stories
SLWA on ABC Radio
ABC Radio Perth discussion about Mavis Phillips (nee Walley 1921–1982) one of Australia’s earliest known Indigenous photographers.
Out of Touch
Stories
Funded by the State Library, this collection of stories documents 15 experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic that hit Australia in early 2020.
Small towns & regional cities
Rockingham is situated on the coast 47 kilometres south of Perth. The Noongar Aboriginal people traversed the region for up to 45,000 years until they were joined by the European settlers.
WA history
Do you remember the Red Castle Motel at 200 Great Eastern Highway in Rivervale?
WA history
For many years Kate trudged Fremantle’s streets selling newspapers and was described as one of the "best-known identities of Fremantle".
Aboriginal stories
In 1907 a number of Noongar people were gathered for a public corroboree performance which was captured in a series of photographs.
Aboriginal stories
Ivy Mallard recalls an astonishing day in 1941 when she heard the sounds of battle from her verrandah on Carrarang Station.
Aboriginal stories
The first Aboriginal newspaper in Western Australia, published by the Coolbaroo League - a Perth-based Aboriginal civil rights and social organisation.
Aboriginal stories
The first remote school in Western Australia, located inside a limestone cave.
Letters, stories, maps and cigarette cards
ANZAC stories
Maps and charts
SLWA on ABC Radio
WA history
Peter Edwards, Heritage Team Librarian, discusses original ANZAC materials from the State Library archives.
Aboriginal stories
We stand on ancient ground. The Perth CBD area was originally home to a chain of seasonal wetlands and lakes.