Would you like an insider's peek at the Athenaeum, taking a tour and learning more about the organisation's fascinating history?
In September the Athenaeum will run two free tours for members, on Monday 19th September at 10am and Monday 26th September at 10am. Members are welcome to bring a friend to the 45-miute tours, which will start in the foyer.
This is a terrific opportunity to hear some stories about your Athenaeum, which has been a fixture on Melbourne's cultural scene since 1839.
Numbers will be capped so bookings are essential, either by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone on 9650 3100.
Bring a guest for free to our upcoming music performance of original tunes and freshly interpreted classics by Sally Ford and the Idiomatics.
Patrick Cronin and Michael Havir provide lush backing arrangements to Sally's wryly-observed lyrics. The underscore of keyboards, samples and electronica is embellished by trombone, saxophone, flute and even a spot of whistling. Adding some old-fashioned strongs magic is Alice Garner on cello and mandolin.
These musicians bring to the Idiomatics their collective legacy of leading or performing with bands including ARIA-winning Melbourne Ska Orchestra, the Spaghetti Western Orchestra, Texicali Rose, Yothu Yindi and Joe Camilleri's Black Sorrows.
Sally Ford and the Idiomatics will perform on Friday 26th August from 6pm. Bookings are essential, either by calling 9650 3100 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The performance is free for members, and members are welcome to bring a guest for free. Refreshments will be provided.
Entries in the Scarlet Stiletto Awards are now open and entry forms and details can be found at https://sistersincrime.org.au/the-scarlet-stiletto-awards/
Entries close at the end of August and winners will be announced in November.
This year marks the 11th year that the library is sponsoring the Body in the Library award as part of Sisters in Crime's annual awards.
Previous winning entries can be enjoyed from the partnerships tab of this website.
The Melbourne Athenaeum is delighted to announce Declan Furber Gillick as the library's 2022 playwright-in-residence. Born in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Declan is an independent, multi-disciplinary artist, writer and performer whose practice and artistic interests span writing, theatre, poetry, music, rap, film and visual art.
Since completing the Victorian College of the Arts' Masters of Writing for Performance in 2017, Declan has seen his plays performed at festivals including the Melbourne Fringe, won Green Room Awards, and enjoyed a residency as part of the Melbourne Theatre Company's Next Stage Program.
Declan will spend time working in the library throughout the year.
