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Oral history

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Black and white photo of Smoky and Dot Dawson sitting and smiling at the camera

Damian McDonald, Portrait of Smoky and Dot Dawson at the National Library, 2000, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136550848

Oral History and Folklore

Our Oral History and Folklore Collection dates back to the 1950’s and includes a rich and diverse collection of interviews and recordings with Australians from all walks of life.

Information article
A young person wearing headphones sits at a cluttered workbench in a dimly lit, rustic room, focused on operating vintage radio equipment. The scene suggests a hobbyist or amateur radio operator in a makeshift workshop filled with tools, electronic devices, and schematic diagrams.
The Memory Tapes: explore the collection

Listen to interview excerpts of powerful stories of resilience, innovation, creativity, migration, activism, and everyday life of the people who lived it.

Audio
Two First Nations women sitting at a table conducting an oral history interview.

Photo of Dr Lorina Barker and Gwen Barker conducting an oral history interview, taken by Peta Barker, 2026

Expressions of interest open for First Nations oral history training program 2026–27

We’re calling for expressions of interest for our inaugural First Nations oral history training program.

News article
Four members of the Library's Special Collections Research & Support team, two men and two women, sitting at tables in the Main Reading Room

Members of the Special Collections Research & Support team in the Main Reading Room

Unlocking our oral history collections for family history research

Learn about some of our key oral history collections that you can use for family history research.

Blog
Collection of various portraits, from groups of people to individuals, with the title 'The Memory Tapes' on a yellow back
The Memory Tapes

The Memory Tapes brings history to life through the voices of the people who lived it. Drawing on one of the nation’s most significant oral history collections, the series explores remarkable stories of resilience, innovation, creativity, migration, activism and everyday life. Narrated by oral historian Dr Shirleene Robinson AM, each episode combines firsthand accounts with expert storytelling to reveal the people behind Australia’s history.

Audio
Collection of various portraits, from groups of people to individuals, with the title 'The Memory Tapes' on a yellow back
Podcasts

Listen to Australian stories through our curated collection of podcasts.

Audio
A split image featuring two professional headshots. On the left, a middle-aged woman with brown hair and glasses, wearing a black turtleneck, is smiling gently against a textured, light-colored background with some visible vines. On the right, an older man with gray hair, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and blue patterned tie, is smiling directly at the camera against a plain gray background. Both individuals appear professional and approachable.
Workshop: Capturing your family stories session 2

In this workshop, participants learnt how to record their loved ones’ stories and preserve their voices for the future.

Event
A split image featuring two professional headshots. On the left, a middle-aged woman with brown hair and glasses, wearing a black turtleneck, is smiling gently against a textured, light-colored background with some visible vines. On the right, an older man with gray hair, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and blue patterned tie, is smiling directly at the camera against a plain gray background. Both individuals appear professional and approachable.
Workshop: Capturing your family stories session 1

In this workshop, participants learnt how to record their loved ones’ stories and preserve their voices for the future.

Event
A black and white photo of a woman wearing headphones, operating a vintage audio recording or mixing console in a studio setting.

Mike Brown, Judy Bateman edits an interview, 1975, Australian Information Service photograph, nla.obj-136606131

The memory collectors: Conversations with oral historians

The Library's Dr Barbara Lemon joined esteemed oral historians, Dr Shirleene Robinson AM, MC Trey and Dr Barry York for a conversation about lessons on humanity, memory and the art of listening.

Event
People gathering outside a red brick church, with a sign advertising a 'Pop-Up Kitchen' and soup pickup.

Sandy Scheltema, Pop-up kitchen offering soup during the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions, 2020, Daylesford Community Church, nla.obj-2931859327

COVID-19 oral history project: Archiving pandemic voices

Join Dr Barbara Lemon, Bronwyn Ryan and Dr Scott McKinnon from the Library’s oral history team as they reflect on the process of compiling the extraordinary Australian COVID-19 collection.

Event
A painting of two stockman riding horses and holding whips high in the air, capturing a bull

The Queenslander, ‘Cutting Out’ A Fat Beast, from Notes on Queensland, April 1894. Colour digital version by Warren Fahey.

Echoes of the long paddock: A folksong celebration

This special concert performance saluted our 70th anniversary as custodian of Australia's folksong heritage and oral history.

Event
Two men kneel before rows of candles on the ground

William Yang, The last candle, AIDS vigil [The Domain, Sydney], 1994, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136864462

Hope is strength and I’m gonna fight

Reflecting on the Australian response to AIDS Oral History Project.

Blog

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