Past events | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Past events

Showing 1 - 12 of 266 results
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
01 Apr 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm

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

Online
Theatre
Talks and ideas
Collection talk
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
A woman wearing glasses with short hair, holding books in front of the Main Reading Room at the National Library of Australia

Dr Marie-Louise Ayres FAHA

Dr Marie-Louise Ayres reflects on 30+ years
31 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Join Dr Marie-Louise Ayres FAHA, Director-General of the National Library of Australia, as she delivers her reflections on more than 30 years in the library sector.

Online
Theatre
Talks and ideas
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
A woman in a space station wearing her astronaut suit with computers behind her

Katherine Bennell-Pegg

Exploring space with Katherine Bennell-Pegg and Neil Hart
30 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Join Canberra Cyber Hub and 2026 Australian of the Year, Katherine Bennell-Pegg for a special In Conversation event about the modern space industry, and Australia's growing role within it.

Online
Theatre
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
An audience watching a performance in a theatre with a focused expression
A deep dive into 'Julius Caesar'
26 Mar 2026 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Join Dr Kate Flaherty and Bell Shakespeare for a special lecture about Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, diving into the play and its history, unpacking what it tells us about our past, present and future.

Theatre
Talks and ideas
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
An illustrated book cover alongside a poem with a comical drawing of an emu
'This is Us' poetry excursion
26 Mar 2026 | 10:00am - 12:30pm

A special excursion opportunity for school groups, featuring inspiring activities and workshops celebrating Australian poetry.

Theatre
Education/learning
Two smiling women pictured at the front of the Archives New Zealand building

New Zealand National Librarian Rachel Esson and Chief Archivist Anahera Morehu outside the new Archives New Zealand Building, Te Rua in Wellington

Libraries and archives: Disruption, trends and transformation
25 Mar 2026 | 3:30pm - 5:15pm

Six leading library and archive professionals discuss the local and global impacts of current trends and disruptors in the sector. Join this special event livestreamed from the National Library of New Zealand.

Online
Theatre
This image consists of two pictures side-by-side. On the left-hand side is a book cover featuring a photo of Gough Whitlam. On the right-hand side is an image of Troy Bramston. He is sitting at a table with a garden in the background.

Book cover, Gough Whitlam: The Vista of the New, by Troy Bramston; and Troy Bramston photographed by John Feder.

Discovering the real Gough Whitlam: Troy Bramston on writing a life
24 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm

The Friends of the Library delve into the craft of writing a biography with Troy Bramston.

Foyer
Online
Theatre
Author talk
Friends of the Library event
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
A photograph of a man in glasses, suit and tie with his book cover for Bring Back Yesterday

Bob Carr

Author talk: Bring Back Yesterday by Bob Carr
20 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Join Canberra Writers Festival and author Bob Carr for a special In Conversation event focused on his new memoir, Bring Back Yesterday.

Foyer
Theatre
Books and authors
Author talk
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
A woman with long hair tied back stands in the centre of the image wearing a white shirt and navy jacket
2026 Ann Moyal Lecture: Professor Georgina Long AO
19 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Professor Georgina Long AO delivered the 2026 Ann Moyal Lecture, addressing the question 'When groundbreaking cancer treatments save 50% of patients, what happens to the other half?' 

Online
Theatre
Past event
Talks and ideas
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
A man wearing a lilac button down shirt and a blue and red checkered blazer while smiling at the camera

Dr Samuel White

Keeping the peace of the realm with Dr Samuel White
17 Mar 2026 | 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Dr Samuel White will discuss his recent Fellowship research focused on the historical use of military call-outs and the decision-making processes behind deploying troops in Australia.

Conference Room
Online
Talks and ideas
Fellowship talk
A man wearing a blue button down shirt and blazer smiling at the camera while standing in front of a white brick wall

Frank Bongiorno AM

Canberra Day Oration 2026: Frank Bongiorno AM
12 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm

The Canberra & District Historical Society proudly presents the 2026 Canberra Day Oration.

Online
Theatre
Talks and ideas
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
Laptop open to the Treasures Gallery exhibition page of the National Library website
Research skills webinar for secondary students 2026
12 Mar 2026 | 1:00pm - 1:45pm

Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia presented a free webinar to seriously level up students' research game!

Online
Past event

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