1975: Virtual exhibition | National Library of Australia (NLA)

1975: Virtual exhibition

Travel back to the 70s to explore the music, fashion, politics, literature, news of the day, film and more that shaped Australian life. 

How to explore

To begin your tour, click the 'Play' button.

To move around the Gallery:

  • use the arrow keys on your keyboard
  • click or drag your mouse
  • click on the white circles on the Gallery floor.

To find more exhibition information:

  • click on the blue 'I' icons to open information about the exhibition and the themes explored
  • click on the grey 'D' icons to open the item captions and information
  • click on the green 'picture' icons to open an enlarged image
  • click on the purple 'people' icons to open our kid friendly descriptions and activities.

For more information on how to use the virtual tour, click 'Help 'in the bottom right-hand corner of the virtual exhibition.

About the exhibition

1975 marked the midpoint of a tumultuous decade. Now, 50 years on, our collections offer an opportunity to look back on what it was like to live in the seventies.

Learn more about 1975: Living in the Seventies

Exhibition details

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14 Aug 2025 - 01 Feb 2026

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9:00am – 5:00pm

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Free

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Exhibition Gallery

Find out more

A group of women marches down a city street, holding various protest signs. Signs include messages like "Sexism is alive & living in Australia" and "Dress for comfort, not for style." A large sculpture is visible in the background.

John McKinnon, Women on the march wave their placards at the International Women's Day march, Melbourne, March 8, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-137045864

1975: Exhibition themes

Learn about the themes explored in the 1975: Living in the Seventies exhibition including Good Vibes and We are Women

Black and white images of members of the band Skyhooks with red text reading 'Ego is not a dirty word'

Greg Macainsh, Ego is not a dirty word, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1843249

1975: Curator's essay

Hear from Guy Hansen, Director of Exhibitions, about life in Australia during the 1970s

Photo of several young children in 1970s-era clothing playing on a swing set on a sunny cloudless day

Wolfgang Sievers, Children on a swing at Tom Price, Western Australia, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-160837526

1975: Then and now

Module

This resource is aligned with the Australian Curriculum: HASS for Year 1, 2, and 3 students

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