The Melbourne Athenaeum Library will be closed on Saturday April 25 for the ANZAC Day public holiday.
The library will be open regular hours on Friday April 24 and Monday April 27.
The comic book form is used as a narrative medium by creators to tackle social, historical and personal histories: protesting about the Vietnam War in Mirranda Burton’s Underground; Napoleon Bonaparte’s Tasmanian imprisonment in Jamie Clennett’s The Diemenois; and growing up with an autistic sibling in Gina Chadderton’s Oh Brother.
Join these creators, along with chair Bernard Caleo, as they present illustrated readings from their work and engage in a spirited discussion about comics and the real world.
Presented by Rare Books Melbourne in partnership with The Melbourne Athenaeum Library.
Thursday 30 July 2026
Doors open at 5:40pm for a 6:00pm start.
This event is free for members and for non-members.
Bookings can be made through Trybooking using this link
Speaker Simon Plant, who delivered the Gary Morgan Oration in the library in March, will speak about George Coppin and Barry Humphries, who graced the stage a century apart, bringing life and laughter to Melbourne theatres and audiences.
Simon, the author of Entertaining Mr Coppin, will speak about just how much these two thespians had in common, both in comedy and in life.
Presented by Rare Books Melbourne in partnership with The Melbourne Athenaeum Library.
Wednesday 29 July 2026
Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start.
This event is free for members and for non-members.
Bookings can be made through Trybooking using this link
Recognised as one of the most important books in maritime history, the Register was forged in Edward Lloyd’s London coffee house in 1760. Together with its system of ship classification, it informs shipowners, underwriters and mariners about the condition of vessels they insure or charter and has led to greater safety at sea. The Register has become so large that it is no longer printed and has transitioned to digital format, remaining a vital resource.
Dr Liz Rushen AM is a historian and serves on the Editorial Board of the Australian Dictionary of Biography. She is also a Director of the Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network. Liz has spent many years researching and writing about the lives of nineteenth-century migrants. In 2021, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of her contribution to community history and heritage preservation.
Presented by Rare Books Melbourne in partnership with The Melbourne Athenaeum Library.
Tuesday 28 July 2026
Doors open at 6pm for a 6:30pm start.
This event is free for members and for non-members.
Bookings can be made through Trybooking using this link
The Colour of Time exhibition in the library will bring together one of the most ancient practices, the creation of glass, with Australia’s oldest continuing culture to showcase the work of First Nations glass artists.
The exhibition will be held from Monday 6th July to Sunday 26th July as part of NAIDOC Week. It is a collaborative project between the Melbourne Athenaeum and not-for profit organisation GLAAS Inc (Glass Light Art and Architecture Synergies), which progresses the use of glass in architecture, art and construction.
A panel discussion to be held on Saturday 11th July from 2.30pm will provide an opportunity to hear from the exhibiting artists about their artistic practice and their journey with glass as a creative medium. It will give an insight into the inspiration and cultural influences behind the making of the displayed works, and the power of glass to combine the contemporary and the traditional in art.
Supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants.
Panel discussion 2:30-3:30pm
Saturday 11 July 2026
This event is free for members and for non-members.
Bookings can be made through Trybooking using this link
Secret Trio is the latest project from guitarist and composer Robbie Melville, and members and their guests will be able to enjoy it on Friday 19th June.
Featuring Sophie Dunn on violin and viola (Devil Goat Family String Band) and accordionist Phil Mcleod (The Blue Grassy Knoll), the trio explore a juxtaposition of heavily-structured arrangements with free-spirited extemporisation.
Their music is informed in equal measure by contemporary jazz and Norwegian folk, the sparse and playful writings of Richard Brautigan, the photography of Viktor Kolář, and the film soundtracks of Mark Orton.
Friday 19 June 2026
Doors open at 5.40pm for a 6pm start.
This event is free for members and $25 for non-members.
Bookings can be made through Trybooking using this link
Affinity Quartet’s performances have been praised by critics for their ‘flawless technique’ and ‘emotional breadth’.
Now entering their second decade, Affinity Quartet is this year focusing on collaborations with some exciting guests, including two leading Australian musicians based overseas: Catherina Lee in London and Isabella Bignasca in Auckland/New York.
Catherina (violin) and Isabella (viola) will join Nicholas Waters (violin), Josef Hanna (viola) and Mee Na Lojewski (cello) in the library to perform the following program:
Friday 12 June 2026
Doors open at 5.40pm for a 6pm start.
This event is free for members and $25 for non-members.
Bookings can be made through Trybooking using this link
