Past events | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Past events

Showing 1 - 12 of 256 results
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

Register for a free webinar to seriously level up students’ research game!

Online
Education/learning
Workshops and seminars
An illustration of eight people wearing textiles

Dura Europos Synagogue, panel WC3: David Anointed King by Samuel (CE 3rd Century). Ancient use of purple dye. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Imperial purple to Marie Antoinette’s fleas: The colourful history of textiles
10 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:45pm

ArtsNational Canberra and Susan-Kay Williams present a lecture exploring the fascinating history of how dyes were discovered and produced up to the 18th century.

Foyer
Theatre
Talks and ideas
A colourful projection on the National Library of Australia building featuring a figurine reading a book while holding a lamp
Enlighten 2026: The Page Turner
27 Feb - 09 Mar 2026 | 8:00pm - 11:00pm

We invite you to experience our 2026 Enlighten projection, The Page Turner by local artists Eleanor and Giovanni.

Foyer
Podium
Enlighten
For kids and families
A headshot of a woman wearing a red shirt and black blazer, looking into the distance while leaning on the edge of a city view

Natasha Brown

Author talk: Universality by Natasha Brown
04 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Join Canberra Writers Festival and author Natasha Brown for a special In Conversation event focused on her bold, new novel Universality.

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
An illumination of the National Library of Australia building, showcasing a figurine with wings
Enlighten 2026: Artists Q&A with Eleanor and Giovanni
03 Mar 2026 | 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Join artists Eleanor and Giovanni in conversation with Enlighten Creative Director Adam Deuisen, as they discuss their artistic practice and inspirations.

Foyer
Online
Theatre
Enlighten
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 black and white image of two women sitting on concrete steps, one holding woodworking tools, the other painting at an easel and holding a parasol
Book launch - Double Act: Eirene Mort and Nora Kate Weston
02 Mar 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Dr Sylvia Martin, in conversation with Frank Bongiorno, launches her new book about prominent Australian artists Eirene Mort and Nora Kate Weston, and their incredible 60-year creative partnership.

Foyer
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
A woman and man wearing aprons and holding colourful maquettes, pictured alongside unpainted maquettes and paints and paintbrushes
Figurine painting workshop with Eleanor & Giovanni
28 Feb 2026 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Award winning animators and artists Eleanor & Giovanni present a workshop for children based on their Enlighten Festival 2026 illumination The Page Turner, created for the National Library.

Foyer
Education/learning
For kids and families
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
A short haired woman with black rimmed glasses in a checkered, button down shirt, smiling at the camera

2025 Creative Arts Fellow Julie Gough

Enaction Plan: Reassembling the past with Julie Gough
26 Feb 2026 | 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Julie Gough discussed her recent Fellowship research focusing on colonial collections and their role in shaping Tasmanian Aboriginal histories.

Online
Theatre
First Australians
Past event
Talks and ideas
Fellowship talk
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Assistance animals welcome
Assistive learning icon Assistive learning icon
Hearing induction loop
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
Etching of mythical sea creatures and a figure preparing to jump into the sea

Britomartis jumps into the sea, image courtesy Lorna Hutson

England's 'island nationhood?' with Professor Lorna Hutson
19 Feb 2026 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Professor Lorna Hutson examined early modern legal and poetic texts to explore the concept of England's 'island nationhood'.

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 woman stands in the centre of this image, looking to the left and smiling. She is in front of an aeroplane and wearing a jacket.

Large photograph of Freda Thompson in flight gear, holding cap and googles, from the Papers of Freda Thompson, c. 1934, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3923190274

Coffee with the Curator and Conservator: Treasures Insights
18 Feb 2026 | 10:30am - 12:00pm

Join the Friends of the Library and delve into the Library's 2025 Treasures Gallery refresh. **Booked out**

Ground floor
Treasures Gallery
Friends of the Library event
Collection talk
Assistance animals icon Assistance animals icon
Assistance animals welcome
Wheelchair icon Wheelchair icon
Wheelchair accessible
Various blue collage images of Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud with their show's branding, which incudes red and blue lines.
Live in interesting places with Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud - 16 February, 7pm
16 Feb 2026 | 7:00pm - 8:00pm

We joined Tim Ross and Kevin McCloud for an in-conversation about architecture and design.

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

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