September is a month for reflection and learning at the Library. A new exhibit in our Treasures Gallery explores stories from the Library’s collections relating to the Second World War on the 80th anniversary of the conflict ending. This month you can also hear from academics and bright young minds debating Australian history, tour the world of water management, and gain a new perspective on Australian defence policy.

We are proudly playing host to some of the biggest names in Australian literature as well, partnering with Creative Australia to present the 2025 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. Established and emerging writers, illustrators, poets and historians will gather to recognise some of their best, and members of the public can attend an in-conversation event with the winners.

And don’t miss multi-talented award-winning author Christos Tsiolkas delivering the 2025 Ray Mathew Lecture, about the concept of ‘sitting on the fence’.
 

Program

1975: Living in the Seventies

Exhibition open daily | 9:00am to 5:00pm | Free

1975 was a year of transition. Music, art, fashion, literature and film transformed the way we saw the world, while protest and political upheaval changed society. Our new exhibition delves into the Library’s collections to examine what it was really like to live in the seventies.

Remembering the War

New display open daily | 9:00am to 5:00pm | Free

The Second World War represents the greatest loss of life in an armed conflict that the world has ever seen. On the 80th anniversary of the war ending, explore stories of the conflict from our collections, now on display in the Treasures Gallery.   

Searching Papua New Guinea collections

4 September | 12:00pm-1:00pm | Free

Discover the rich history of Papua New Guinea as you learn how to search and access digitised PNG-related records in Trove and on RecordSearch, with guidance from National Library and National Archives of Australia experts.

The Great Debate: That Australian history unites us

9 September | From 4:00pm | Tickets $10-$20

Six of Australia’s premier academics debate the complex question of whether Australian History unites us. Students from Western Australia and Central Queensland will also battle it out for the Seriously Social Great Student Debate. Will your mind be changed?

Teacher Professional Development with Clare Hallifax

10 September | 4:00pm | Tickets $15

Author Clare Hallifax presents a teacher development workshop alongside Library educators and curators. Teachers can claim 2 hours of TQI accredited Professional Learning through their attendance.

2025 Ray Mathew Lecture: Christos Tsiolkas

11 September | 6:00pm | Free

"In our highly polarised culture, the idea of sitting on the fence is despised by all sides. We are urged at all times – and for every occasion – to take a position.” Award-winning author Christos Tsiolkas explores the concept of ‘fence-sitting’ and its place in the modern world.

Celebrating 50 years of Papua New Guinea’s independence

13 September | 9:30am-12:00pm | Free

Commemorate this important anniversary in the National Triangle, with a lively Community Day which starts at the National Archives, continues at the National Gallery, and concludes at the National Library with a viewing of our exhibition 1975: Living in the Seventies.

Fellowship talk: Defending Australian Territory

17 September | 12:30pm | Free

Honorary Fellow Associate Professor Andrew Carr discusses his research on the history of Australian defence policy.

Archaeology of water with Dr Chris Carter

18 September | 6:00pm | Tickets from $11

Uncover how humans gained access to and control of water. Travel from the driest deserts in the world – the Atacama Desert of Chile and the Arabian Peninsula – to the lush, terraced hillsides in the Philippines, from the slopes of Andean Peru to Australia, with its long history of water management. 

Story Dogs on Sunday

28 September | 2:00pm | Free

Our monthly story-time with the Story Dogs volunteers and their adorable furry friends. 

In conversation: 2025 Prime Minister's Literary Awards

30 September | 6:00pm | Free

Who will take out Australia’s richest literary prize? Join the winners of the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards in conversation with the Artistic Director of the Canberra Writers Festival, Andra Putnis, to discuss their experiences of writing an award-winning book.

Contact

Lauren Conron, Media Liaison, National Library of Australia

Phone: 0401 226 697  

Email: media@nla.gov.au