News
News
26 March 2026
Margaret Medcalf first joined the State Library of Western Australia’s Archives Branch in 1955.In 1971, she was appointed to the dual role of State Archivist and Principal Librarian of the Battye Library, becoming Western Australia’s second State Archivist.
Gerard McCann and Louise Wolhuter
News
27 February 2026
Authors Gerard McCann and Louise Wolhuter discuss their experiences winning the 2025 Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards and what it meant to them.
The scholarship supports the development of professional staff working in the WA public library network and aims to enhance library services through research and learning experiences. Applications open are now open and close on 10 April.
Stories
How the Botanic Park came to be
Stories
This story is based on the oral history of forester, ecologist and one of the first Directors of Kings Park, John Stanley Beard (1916–2011), and features a collection of historical photos of Kings Park.
Stories
Photographs and films
WA history
Wimmin's Work
Wimmin's Work is a new collection of audio, audio-visual and photographic stories documenting the stories of ten Western Australian women.
by Lucy Torvaldsen
Wimmin's Work
Strap in for Barbara's reflection on her life of activism, advocacy and uplifting others. And remember - life really can get better with age, and you never have to settle down.
Exhibitions
Dates
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A folk hero, bushranger and infamous prison escapee, discover the legend of Moondyne Joe. This children’s exhibition reimagines his story for younger audiences through history, storytelling, and art.
Upcoming events
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Daily on , 10:30am - 12pm until Fri 17 Apr 2026
Kids can put together their own animal puppet, using simple craft materials like paper bags, paper plates and colourful cut-outs to bring a character to life.
The CWA Cookbook and Country Cooking
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Join leading WA food writer Max Veenhuyzen and a panel of experts for a morning tea (and scones) as they discuss the Country Women’s Association's impact on Western Australian palates.
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Interactive story fun for pre-schoolers and their carers. Followed by a half hour Play Time where families can explore literacy and learning through reading, talking, singing, writing and playing together.
Boorloo Heritage Festival
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Four mini documentaries tell the stories of Australia’s first guide dog; the ‘rock masses’ held at St George’s Cathedral in the 1970s; the extraordinary life of 1920s male impersonator Effie Fellows; and the fascinating history of the Perth Observatory.
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Monthly on the last Wednesday, 2 - 4pm until Wed 25 Nov 2026
Discover how to find out more about your kinship in a joint presentation from the Storylines team and the Aboriginal History WA team.
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Every 2 months on the second Tuesday, 5:30 - 6:30pm until Tue 17 Nov 2026
The Friends of Battye Inc. present a series of talks throughout the year on Western Australian historical topics. These talks are open to members and the wider community
Sheiks, Fakes & Cameleers
Between 1870 and 1920, around 20,000 camels and 4,000 men travelled to Australia to help explore and develop the country's arid interior. Discover the forgotten history of cameleers in Western Australia.