Stories
Explore fascinating stories from the collections of the State Library of South Australia.
We also have extended stories from the collection for you to read and explore.
Everything old is new again
The stories that make us.During World War One, the Bank of Thrift was set up on North Terrace to teach South Australians, including children, how to save and contribute...
Days we’ll remember in South Australia: a brief history of tourism ads
The stories that make us.What better way to celebrate World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, than showcasing some film, video, and audio gems in the State Library’s collection. This year we...
How the Overland Telegraph Line changed journalism in South Australia
The stories that make usThe biggest changes brought about by the completion of the Overland Telegraph were within the newspaper industry. The ability to receive almost instantaneous news from...
‘Kookaburra sits on the telegraph wire…’
The stories that make usHow did Australian children experience the Overland Telegraph Line? The State Library has delved into the collections and discovered a story that explores the Australian...
Great Air Race of 1919: Curator talks
The stories that make us.Watch episodes of Stories from the Stacks featuring items from the Sir Ross and Keith Smith collection. Presented by Carolyn Spooner, Librarian at the State...
Honouring Her Majesty
With the loss of Queen Elizabeth II after a reign of 70 years we look back at her role in the South Australian community including...
Heroes of the Skies
The stories that make usDiscover the amazing story of the England to Australia air race of 1919, won by two of South Australia’s favourite sons, Captain Ross and Lieutenant...
Sensational end of a magnificent flight
Englishman Arthur Jones had undertaken flights in other parts of Australia before venturing to Adelaide to thrill us with the magic of powered flight. He...
An unsuspecting countryman
The British Hotel on North Parade holds the oldest 'most continuous' licence in Port Adelaide. Established in 1847, with James Wakeling as the first publican...
Signs of the times
The stories that make usSince antiquity, the practice of posting up hand-drawn public notices has been a major source of communication. Even in the internet age, posters continue to...
Gunman robs city hotels
It was an eventful afternoon in Adelaide one Thursday in October 1952. Port Pirie Recorder, 17 October 1952, p1 Oriental Hotel, corner Gawler Place and...
Tiny Appeals to Patriotism and the Heart
The stories that make usBadge sellers were once a regular sight in cities and towns across Australia. During and after the Great War (World War One) the sale of...
Dr Charles Duguid: a pioneer of the Reconciliation movement
The stories that make usThis year the theme of National Reconciliation Week is ‘Be brave. Make change.’ The State Library of South Australia has many personal records of people...
Oh, you do make the most delightful tea!
Tea. Who hasn’t gasped for a cuppa at the end of a busy day? Tea is the world’s most consumed drink, besides water. Just saying...
The amazing inventions of the Both Brothers
The stories that make usWhen it comes to inventors, South Australians punch well above their weight, however many of their achievements are largely unknown outside the state, let alone...
Any time is holiday time
The stories that make usSummer is traditionally holiday season, when we pack up and drive, sail, fly or ride the rails to catch up with family and friends or...
Algie’s Romance, a 'lost' film
The stories that make usLibrarians love a research query challenge and finding the story behind the following four photographs in the Library’s digital collection has been keeping one of...
Please put Wendy on the tram...
The stories that make usAt the State Library, we are always busy sleuthing and looking for things in the collection, and on occasion, we find something other than the...
Vale Sister Janet Mead
State Library staff were saddened by the death of Sister Janet Mead after a short tussle with cancer at the age of 84. While known...
The two bullfrogs - A curious mechanical savings bank
The stories that make usWhat is that?? This rather grotesque-looking object is a mechanical savings bank in the shape of two frogs, the design for which was patented by...