CoPP | PPLS | WALKING | With Tobias Nash to Ghost Signs of South Melbourne | Saturday 19 September 2026 | 2-4pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Travel streets, back lanes and industrial walls seeking ancient advertising typography, signage and hand-painted stencils known as ‘Ghost Signs’.

• Where: Start and finish: Emerald Hill Heritage Centre, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

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Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | Researching your Middle Park home | Tuesday 22 September 2026 | 6-7pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Do you remember Middle Park in the 1970s? Or ever wondered what your street looked like decades ago?

Join us for the launch of Your Home @ 3206, an extraordinary online archive featuring historic images of every Middle Park house and stories from the community. You'll learn how this remarkable project can help you uncover the history of the place you call home.

Presented by the Middle Park and Albert Park History Group with the Port Phillip Heritage Centre.

• Where: Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | SHARING | Your Memories of St Kilda Library

[Edited extract from public address]

St Kilda Library is celebrating its rich history in partnership with Open House Melbourne and the University of Melbourne’s exhibition Taglietti: A Life in Design. 

Built through strong community advocacy for a free public library, the space was designed by Enrico Taglietti as a welcoming refuge where people could feel more alive.

Our library is inviting the community to share personal memories, from borrowing a first book to studying, attending events, or simply enjoying a quiet place. Selected stories may be featured in a display, included in an online exhibition, and preserved by the Port Phillip Heritage Centre.

You can contribute by submitting a written memory, photo or audio recording.

• Learn More

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | With Author Moreno Giovannoni | Tuesday 16 June 2026 | 6.30-7.30pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Celebrate Refugee Week with a Q&A featuring local author Moreno Giovannoni. 

Moreno will discuss The Immigrants: Fabula Mirabilis, his writing practice, and stories of migration that shape Australia’s multicultural experience.

Moreno has recently won The Age Book of the Year and the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction 2026 for his novel The Immigrants which makes this event extra special for us to host.

Proudly presented by the Friends of Emerald Hill Library.

• Where: Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | EXHIBITING | Working in Port Melbourne: From Sherbet Bombs to Airplanes Heritage | until Wednesday 24 June 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

Learn about Port Melbourne’s rich industrial history at the Port Phillip Heritage Centre!

Throughout the 20th century, Port Melbourne’s industries employed not just locals, but residents across all of Melbourne. From wartime to the manufacturing boom that followed in 1945, Port has been a hub for workers across the city.

Come and see this Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS) exhibition to learn more about the variety of different trades and factories, life as a worker in Port, and much more!

• Where: Port Phillip Heritage Centre, Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
• Cost: Free 
• Learn More

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | With Authors Kristine Slawinksi and Phil Campbell | Tuesday 21 April 2026 | 6-7pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Come and join authors Kristine Slawinksi and Phil Campbell as they guide us through the pages of their new book Melbourne Heritage Interiors.

Learn about the history of each building’s interior with a focus on design and the interesting events and stories that connect each place to the evolution of Melbourne. From long-lost coffee palaces to long-established private clubs, this wonderful book is a first of its kind to shine a light on Melbourne's rich interiors.

This program is part of the Australian Heritage Festival 2026.

• Where: Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPHC | COLLECTING | Stories from Past and Present Park Towers Residents

[Edited extract from public address]

Port Phillip Heritage Centre (PPHC) would love to record stories from Park Towers residents past and present to add to our local history collection. 

Do you live at Park Towers now?

Did you live there in the past? 

Where can the interview happen?

• At the Emerald Hill library
• At Park Towers 
• At another place that suits you. Would you like to take part? 

Contact us to organise an interview and learn how to become an interviewer. 

• Email: localhistory@portphillip.vic.gov.au
• Call: 9209 6795
• Address: Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205

MORE:

Port Phillip Heritage Centre (PPHC)

Address: Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205

Website

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | WORKSHOPPING | Family History Club | Monthly, First Thursday, next session 5 February 2026 | 1-2pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Join our monthly Family History Club and connect with others passionate about family and local history. 

In each session, we’ll introduce the fantastic research resources available at our Heritage Centre and take time to share our own stories.

• Where: Emerald Hill Library & Heritage Centre, 195 Bank St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
• Cost: Free
• Find out more

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | TRAINING | Scan and Save: Digitise Your Photos, Negatives and Slides | Monthly inductions. Next session Thursday 12 February 2026 | 1.30-2.30pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Do you have precious family memories that you want to preserve and share with loved ones? 

We'll show you how to digitise your photographs, slides, negatives and slides and keep your family’s memories safe and accessible for a whole new generation.

These induction sessions teach you how to use the Epson Perfection V850 Pro Scanner at the Port Phillip Heritage Centre.

Once you've attended an induction, you can come back to use the scanning equipment at your leisure. Our expert staff will also offer advice on long term preservation and basic file management.

• Where: Emerald Hill Library & Heritage Centre, 195 Bank St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | WORKSHOPPING | Candle Making to Remember our Past | Saturday 21 February 2026 | 11am-1.30pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Connect with the age-old craft of candle making by joining us at the Heritage Centre for a free, hands-on candle making workshop. 

This 2.5 hour workshop will give attendees a chance to.

Hinako Akimoto of Petaly Candles will guide attendees through creating and decorating their very own candle to take home.

This workshop coincides with our current exhibition on the soap and candle making factory J Kitchen and Sons, which operated in Port Melbourne for over a century. The exhibition was created in partnership with the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society.

Book in to secure your spot in this exciting new workshop! Please be aware that this is an 18+ only event due to the handling of equipment.

• Where: Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | Remembrance Day Family History Club | Thursday 6 November 2025 | 1-2pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Please join us for a special Remembrance Day session of Family History Club.

For our November meeting, Jill Powell will walk us through how she brings family war stories to life on-screen, using her family photos and basic digital collaging techniques. Tea and biscuits provided, see you there! 

• Where: Port Phillip Heritage Centre, Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | Living History and Family Stories - Making sense of the past today | Tuesday 21 October | arrive 6.15pm for 6.30-7.30pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Join local author David Radcliffe as he shares the extraordinary, multi-generational story behind his new book Goldfields to Graceville (2025). 

For over fifty years, David has traced the lives of Amos and Sarah Radcliffe, their thirteen children, and eleven siblings—across three continents and through the 19th and early 20th centuries.

We’ll follow adventures from striking gold at Ballarat’s diggings and raising a family on the Queensland frontier to reveal how family history can make the past feel alive again - and how looking at old stories through modern eyes can uncover new insights and connections.

• Where: Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | GATHERING | Family History Club: Senior's Festival Show and Tell | Thursday 2 October 2025 | 1-2pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Please join us for a special Senior’s Festival session of Family History Club!

On the first Thursday of each month, we come together to discuss family history projects, local history interests, questions, conundrums and much more. To celebrate Senior’s Festival, we will be hosting a show and tell of personal items. Please bring along an item that is significant to your family history or to our local City of Port Phillip history. We will discuss all your treasured items over tea and biscuits.

• Where: Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | CALLING | Photographers for Local History Photo Competition | submissions open Monday 1 September and close Friday 31 October 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

Join our local history photography competition and help us to preserve and celebrate the rich history of Port Phillip.

Submit your photos to go into the draw to win a $200 cash prize and to have them displayed in our local history collection. The competition theme is Your Streets, your stories. We want these submissions to reflect what you love about living here.

Whether it is your favourite café, the beautiful foreshore, or a faded sign on the side of a building, we want to celebrate it all and learn what it means to you.

• Learn More

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | WORKSHOPPING | Teen Photography for Local History Photography Competition | Saturday 13 September 2025 | 11am-2pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Come along to a beginner friendly photography workshop for teens!  

Linden New Art is hosting a Teen Photography Workshop as part of our Local History Photography Competition.  

You'll dive deep into the fundamentals of photography, guided by an experienced artist. Engage in a range of hands-on activities, tapping into the realm of camera settings and controlled lighting, as you learn to craft captivating images that resonate with your unique perspective.

At the end of the workshop, everyone will get the opportunity to submit their photos to the competition, to then be added to our local history community collection. These photographs will capture the essence of St Kilda through the eyes of young people.

• Where: Linden New Art Gallery, 26 Acland St, St Kilda, VIC 3182
• Cost: Free, Booking Essential
• Learn More and Book

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | WALKING | Housing the people of South Melbourne | Sunday 7 September 2025 | 2-4pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Step back in time and explore South Melbourne’s housing story!

From humble cottages and grand mansions to shops, orphanages, public housing and today’s new developments we will explore the rich history of South Melbournes buildings.

This special walk also honours Reg Macey, former Mayor and passionate housing advocate. It will be led by our library walks guide, Tobias Nash.

• Where: South Melbourne
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking for walk starting location and information.

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | CONNECTING | With Family History Club | First Thursday of the month | 1-2pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Join our Family History Club and connect with others passionate about family and local history. 

In each session, we’ll introduce the fantastic research resources available at our Heritage Centre and take time to share our own stories.

Tea and biscuits are on us!

• Where: Port Phillip Heritage Centre, Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
• Cost: Free
• Learn more

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | CELEBRATING | Australian Heritage Festival | 18 April-18 May 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

Celebrate the rich and diverse history of the City of Port Phillip this Australian Heritage Festival with events, exhibitions, and opportunities to share your story. 

From the bustling piers of Port Melbourne to the See Yup Temple, which has been a site of worship for people from southern China for nearly 170 years, this year’s festival shines a spotlight on the untold stories that have shaped our city.

We are also very excited to have Julian O'Shea, host of the Unknown Melbourne YouTube channel hosting a talk not to be missed.

The festival runs with events all over Victoria.

• Explore All Events

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | CELEBRATING | Australian Heritage Festival | 18 April to 18 May 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

The Australian Heritage Festival is Australia’s largest annual community-driven heritage festival.

Created with the vision of recognising and celebrating the significance of our natural, historic and Indigenous heritage places and ensuring they are valued by Australians, protected for future generations and cared for by the community.

The theme for the 2025 Australian Heritage Festival is Connections and is coordinated annually by the National Trust of Australia. We have three amazing events included with local historians and experts so book your spots today!

• Explore our programs

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

CoPP | PPLS | TALKING | Australia’s Queer Maritime History with Graham Willett | Tuesday 11 February | 6.30-7.30pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Sailors have long been fetishised by gay men. And, often enough, sailors were happy enough to go along with this. 

But there is much more to Australia’s queer maritime history. It includes sailors, crew, and passengers on warships and cruise liners, as well as life in ports and pubs from swanky to divey.

Drawing on oral histories, archival research and novels, historian Graham Willett reveals more of the history they didn't teach us at school.

• Where: Emerald Hill Library, 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
  
• Cost: Free
• Bookings: online via Trybooking

MORE:

Port Phillip Library Service (PPLS)

City of Port Phillip

Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia

Telephone: 03 9209 6655

Website | Facebook | Instagram

City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.