1900s

From the twilight of the Victorian age to Federation, Australia was defining its cultural identity. This collection captures playful glass slides, the soaring voice of Dame Nellie Melba, the royal pageantry of 1901, sporting triumphs and The Story of the Kelly Gang, the world’s first feature film. It also preserves early sound recordings of First Nations people by Spencer and Gillen. These works reflect a society experimenting with image and sound in bold new ways.

Please be advised that this page contains names, images and voices of deceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.