The Library invites you to be part of Australia’s living memory this August, with a rich program of events, learning opportunities and new content celebrating the power of oral history and storytelling.

-    Read our new book and listen to our companion podcast, The Memory Tapes
-    Come and record your own oral history in our pop-up recording pod
-    Learn how to capture your family’s stories through interviews in our expert-led workshops
-    Hear from oral historians about their work and the discoveries that have stayed with them

Beyond our oral history collections, there’s a huge variety of events and activities to get involved in during August.

The Memory Tapes

Podcast

All episodes available from 3 August

The Memory Tapes brings history to life through the voices of the people who lived it. Dr Shirleene Robinson AM explores resilience, innovation, creativity, migration, activism and everyday life through 10 themed episodes. Available on our website and on all podcast platforms.

Book

Released 15 August

Dip into hundreds of excerpts from our oral history interviews and dive deeper with QR codes which link you to the full interviews on our website. Through the voices of Elders, prime ministers, migrants, scientists, athletes, centenarians, artists and more, this is our national memory. 

Events and workshops

Oral history recording pod

11 - 28 Aug | 10:00am - 5:00pm daily | Free

Step inside our pop-up recording pod, set up for two people to sit together and record a meaningful conversation. Parents, children, grandparents, besties and couples can capture a treasured audio keepsake for their personal use. Bookings essential for one-hour sessions.

Workshop: Capturing your family stories

14 and 15 August | 10:30am and 2:00pm | $40

Learn all the basics for capturing your family stories through interview. Be guided by oral history and broadcast experts Claudia Craig and Gerard Callinan.

COVID-19 oral history project: Archiving pandemic voices

6 Aug | 12:30pm | Free

The Library’s oral history team reflect on the process of documenting and compiling Australian experiences of COVID-19. Who did we select to interview when literally every Australian has a COVID story? 

The Memory Collectors: Conversations with oral historians

20 Aug | 6:00pm | Free

The Library's Dr Barbara Lemon joins 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.

What else is on?

2026 Kenneth Myer Lecture: Canberra and Melbourne

4 and 6 Aug | 6:00pm | Free

Ronni Kahn AO, founder of leading food rescue charity, OzHarvest, delivers this year’s Kenneth Myer Lecture. Ronni will explore the notion that persistent hunger in a wealthy nation is a failure of imagination and will. What does that say about who we are for one another?

Author talk: Beyond Timbuktu with Catherine DeVrye

13 Aug | 6:00pm | Free

The bestselling Australian author discusses her new book Beyond Timbuktu: Journeys of Hope and Humanity, reflecting on the importance of travel, kindness and human connection.

Online learning session: Inspiring role models in STEM

19 Aug | 2:00pm | Free

This Science Week, get ready to be inspired by some incredible Australian scientists! Students will join the Library’s Education team and special guests from Future You to take to the air and into space.

Dr Isobel Bennett and the secrets of Australia's seashores

20 Aug | 12:30pm | Free

Dr Joy McCann presents her recent Fellowship research on Dr Isobel Bennett’s experiences as a trail-blazing woman scientist in the mid-20th century.

Curator talk at Mount Stromlo Public Astronomy Night

21 Aug | 7:00pm | Free

The Australian National University, Canberra Astronomical Society and the Library's Lilia Walsh invite you to attend a public observing night at Mount Stromlo Observatory.

Making of a medieval manuscript: from cover to cover

27 Aug | 6:00pm | Free

Discover how one of the Library's treasures - a magnificent 15th century Book of Hours from the Southern Netherlands - was created by hand.

Winter Tales presents Karen Viggers

30 Aug | 2:00pm | $20

A novelist, veterinarian and adventurer, Karen Viggers speaks about her life and work in this fundraising series of talks supporting the Australian Women’s Register.

Story Dogs on Sunday

30 Aug | 11:00am | Free, no bookings necessary

Drop in on the last Sunday of every month for a paw-sitive reading experience with trained volunteers and their accredited dogs. 

Media enquiries

Lauren Conron, Media Liaison, National Library of Australia

Phone: 0401 226 697

Email: media@nla.gov.au