This program aims to empower VCE Australian history students in their study of the Port Phillip District (1834–60).

Students will get up close with rare, genuine sources and fascinating artefacts from the Port Phillip District. In discussion with a Rare Books librarian, they'll explore how these significant primary sources can be used as evidence to analyse changes to the Port Phillip area.

This program has been shaped by the key knowledge and skills criteria for Area of Study 1.

Student experience

Students will:

• hear a keynote address from Koori Librarian Maxine Briggs on Victorian Aboriginal understandings of land and responses to the European settlement of the district
• tour key gallery spaces with a focus on the Library's Australian history collection
• participate in a workshop to sharpen research skills
• view the Library's collection and investigate relevant primary sources to analyse changes to the Port Phillip District/Victoria.

Skills development

This program assists students to:

• learn research skills and discover the Library's vast free online resources through an interactive workshop
• explore the Library's heritage spaces and the Changing face of Victoria exhibition, as part of a guided tour.

Bursary program

A limited number of bursaries are available for this program.

Eligible schools must be located more than 50km from the CBD or have an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) ranking less than 1000.

Teachers can apply for bursaries on behalf of a class of students or nominate individual students.

Please note that all bursaries have now been allocated.

Companion card accepted at State Library Victoria events. Please book one ticket and let us know that you require a Companion ticket during registration.

Image: Map of the Port Phillip district, Charles Norton (1826–72), ca 1844–1863