17 April to 27 May, 2025

Williamstown Library

The Williamstown Historical Society showcases examples of their vast and varied collection of objects, photographs, paintings and documents that help tell the story of Hobsons Bay's unique and important history.

The Williamstown Historical Society started its collection of historical objects, paintings, photographs and documents in the 1950s, to preserve a physical record of the history of Williamstown, Spotswood and Newport. As the original port of Melbourne, Williamstown has played an important part in Melbourne’s history and development. Most of these items would have been lost forever without the protection of the Society. This exhibition is part of Heritage Hobsons Bay, our local contribution to the Australian Heritage Festival. It reinforces both the unique history of our community and the value of the Williamstown Historical Society’s significant preservation work.

Image: Shows hotel premises at 50 Stevedore Street, Williamstown, built in the 1850's. From State Library of Victoria

17 April - 14 May, 2025.

Laverton Community Hub

This Hobsons Bay Heritage Festival, celebrate the important contributions of the Karen migrant community to the heritage of Victoria and Melbourne's West.

The Australian Karen Organisation works to encourage and foster the development and perpetuation of the Karen culture and language.

   

Williamstown Historical Society

Our Heritage Room hosts a rotating display by the Williamstown Historical Society.

Preserving the Past for Our Future - Our Heritage Buildings

Exhibition ran until 16 April, 2025.

Once Melbourne's main seaport, Williamstown experienced significant growth in the 1850s and 1860s as prospectors arrived in their thousands, making their way to the Victorian goldfields, to seek their fortunes. This surge in population led to the construction of numerous hotels, shops, residences, banks, and churches to accommodate the growing number of migrants.

Many of the buildings from Williamstown’s early days remain standing, some repurposed to fit modern needs while still retaining their unique character. Alongside these heritage structures are newer buildings, which, though not as old, still have their own stories to tell.

This exhibition highlights a selection of buildings in our town that we need to preserve and celebrate for their importance to our history and our future.

Remembrance Day Exhibition

Exhibition ran until 30 November, 2023.

We have items loaned from the Williamstown Historical Society, which include a gas rattle used to alert soldiers in the trenches to put on their gas masks from World War I.  Other interesting items include a personal identity bracelet worn by a local driver which was used to identify those killed or wounded. 

A letter from a Newport soldier explains his experience of landing in Gallipoli and how his friend Robert Lawson from Williamstown was killed in action.

With thanks to the Williamstown Historical Society.

Exhibition ran from 10 November until 1 December, 2023.

U3As are voluntary Seniors’ Groups that provide educational, recreational and social programs. The Gallery at Williamstown Library is excited to welcome back the U3A Williamstown artists for their 2nd annual art exhibition. On show will be the amazing work of local artists, with an artist in residence onsite daily throughout the exhibition from 11am to 1pm.

Exhibition ran until Thursday 31 August, 2023.

Pier Street Pearls is a collection of stories and images that celebrate the history of the main shopping strip in Altona, Pier Street.

Starting with the first shop to be built and tracing through its 120 year history, this exhibition tells stories that run from the pier to the civic offices. Don’t be worried, it’s not a dry piece of dusty history, rather the exhibition and accompanying publication tells the history of the street through the eyes of those who have lived and worked here over the years.

Like any good story, it has your heroes and your villains, your innocents and the adventurers, your tricksters and magicians. It tells the stories of rags to riches, of rolling the dice, whilst acknowledging the sheer hard work that goes into running your own business. Most of all it speaks to the developing of a community. Feel free to take a stroll down memory lane, stopping to greet old friends along the way, promenade on the pier and no doubt have a good yarn.

Pearls of Pier Street was curated by Alan Young and Bronwen Gray.

Exhibition ran until Tuesday 25 July, 2023.

When breathing and heartbeat stop, we are officially dead.  Yet with modern treatment, breathing and heartbeat can sometimes be restored – bringing the patient back from the dead! This informative exhibition shows the history of resuscitation and defibrillation (using electrical currents to restore normal heart rhythm), with a display some of equipment used in the past.

Items on display include Anne, a resuscitation mannequin, a demand resuscitator, training defibrillator and a timeline of the history or resuscitation and CPR.

Come along to find out how Australia has achieved world's best survival rate after resuscitation treatment! 

Back from the Dead is curated by St John Ambulance Historical Society.

 

Exhibition ran until Friday 30 June, 2023.

Since the 1970s LGBTIQA+ communities have been creating a home in Melbourne’s inner west. Back by popular demand, this exhibition is a celebration of LGBTIQA+ culture, history and evolution and its ongoing connection with the western suburbs. A Pride Month exhibition created in partnership with the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives.