The great moments and achievements of the SANFL

New exhibition now open

Immerse yourself in 145 years of great moments and achievements of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) in this exciting new exhibition, Our Footy, Our People, Our Stories. The State Library is pleased to be partnering with the SANFL History Centre to bring this part of South Australia’s sporting history alive.

Curated by Mark Gilbert, State Library, you can see highlights such as:

• a seven-metre wide panoramic photo of a football match at Adelaide Oval
• hours of video highlights of SANFL football
• sketchbook from GW Cox jewellers showcasing their Magarey Medal designs dating back to 1932
• rare items from the SANFL History Centre’s vast collection, including medals, posters, photographs, trophies and fan memorabilia
• images from the scrapbooks of goalkicking icon Ken Farmer and two Magarey Medals from the Library's collection. 

Many of us enjoy the rivalry of the SANFL but now we come together to explore and cherish the history of the competition, the characters, colour and controversy of the last 145 years.

Please put Wendy on the tram...

A note from simpler times

Come on a historical search with us as we use the Library's resources and staff sleuthing skills to find out more about Wendy. This charming story started when a handwritten note to a teacher fell out of an old textbook donated to the Library by Glenelg Primary School. This find would lead to discovering who wrote the note, a rough time frame and more about Wendy's family.

Oh, you do make the most delightful tea! 

Bringing history alive, a story from the archives

In celebrating International Tea Day on 21 May, we looked at how children in the 1800s played with their toy tea sets. The Library has many examples of children’s tea sets, plus photographs, catalogues and other resources which reflect our use of tea for refreshment and ritual. 

So, make yourself a cuppa and settle back to learn about tea in a child's world of play.

The amazing invention of the Both brothers 

Bringing history alive, a story from the archives

Have you heard of South Australia's 'brothers of invention', Don and Ted Both? Together they made significant contributions to medical equipment with their inventions. Equipment such as the Humidicrib and iron lung would go on to save countless lives. Discover more about the brothers and their amazing inventions.

Design your own footy team uniform

Family fun from 3 June to 16 October 2022

Do you have young budding football fans in your household? Maybe they have an idea for a new footy team uniform.

Come to the Library and explore our latest exhibition, Our Footy, Our People, Our Stories. Be inspired by the team guernseys and jumpers on display and design your own guernsey. 

Can’t make it to the Library, not to worry, you can download and print the activity sheet at home!

Books in my life by Dr Stephen Carthew

A Tuesday Talk

When: Tuesday 7 June 2022
Time: 11am to 12pm
Where: Hetzel Lecture Theatre, Institute Building
Cost: Free, bookings essential

Join Dr Stephen Carthew as he focuses on the literature connected to his past interests. He will reveal some remarkable connections to his current research about the mysterious and enigmatic Australian explorer Sir George Hubert Wilkins (1888-1958) who was a Sensitive New Age Guy (SNAG) long before the term became fashionable. 

Book now

The role of surveyors in South Australia

Genealogy SA: Genealogy Gems 

When: Thursday 16 June 2022
Time: 1 to 2pm
Where: Hetzel Lecture Theatre, Institute Building
Cost: Free, bookings essential

Hear a talk by author Andrew Peake about the role of surveyors in the colonisation of South Australia.

In the first century of South Australia, some 460 surveyors surveyed the settled area which allowed agriculture to begin and prepared the rest of the colony for pastoral activity.

Book now

What they brought

Mid-twentieth century European refugees and migrants
Live and Learn

When: Tuesday 21 June 2022
Time: 11am to 12pm
Where: Hetzel Lecture Theatre, Institute Building
Cost: Free, bookings essential

Through photographs, diaries and oral history excerpts, gain an insight into the struggles and achievements of 1930s and post-World War Two refugees and migrants who settled in South Australia.

Book now

WATU Youth Choir

Young Adelaide Voices
WATU Youth Choir Festival 2022

When: Wednesday 29 June 2022
Time: 10am to 12.30pm
Where: Treasures Wall, Level 1
Cost: Free

Don't miss this special experience as the WATU Youth Choir Festival brings song to the Treasures Wall. Bringing together young singers from around Australia to work with a renowned Australian artist, the festival is about the connection and accessibility of making music.

Book now