Homemade steam locomotive to haul tourists after 23-year passion build
After initially waking in a "cold sweat" over the enormity of what he had taken on, Ironbank's Glen Smythe can finally relax after finishing his homemade locomotive — although he still has the boiler to build.
#HumanInterest #History #MonumentandHeritageSite #LibrariesMuseumsandGalleries
The public pool should be accessible for all — but for many, it isn't
By Nicola Heath
A new exhibition in Western Sydney interrogates Australia's enduring love affair with the pool.
#VisualArt #Art #ContemporaryArt #CommunityandSociety #LibrariesMuseumsandGalleries #ArtsCultureandEntertainment #NicolaHeath
Bid to extend opening hours of 'only truly free' public space in Alice Springs
By Elsie Lange
In one of Australia's hottest towns, the library is an important air-conditioned public space offering a no-cost respite from burning summer temperatures.
#LibrariesMuseumsandGalleries #RuralandRemoteCommunities #Heatwaves #FederalGovernment #LocalGovernment #Lobbying #SocialProblems #ElsieLange
From cringe to mainstream: Is it cool to be a geek now?
By Tilda Colling
Has a surge in the popularity of hit shows like Stranger Things led to an uptick in geekiness, changing how we feel about nerd culture? The ABC attended Darwin's Geektacular convention to find out.
#Hobbies #Events #CommunityandMulticulturalFestivals #VideoGames #BoardGames #FamilyandRelationships #LibrariesMuseumsandGalleries #PopularCulture #Media #Esports #TildaColling
Artwork made more than 70 years ago rediscovered hidden in museum
By Rosemary Murphy
An artwork drawn by a child of the Stolen Generations has been discovered after decades in the trunk of a regional museum.
#IndigenousCulture #IndigenousAustralians #ArtsCultureandEntertainment #LibrariesMuseumsandGalleries #RosemaryMurphy
These were the most read books in Brisbane libraries in 2025
By Sarah Richards
New data has revealed there were 5.9 million physical items — including books, CDs and DVDs — checked out of Brisbane libraries in 2025.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-14/qld-most-borrowed-books-from-brisbane-libraries/106226112
The Aussie invention made famous by Queen Elizabeth II
By James Tugwell
When Queen Elizabeth II used a product on her royal tour of Australia in 1963, journalists noticed. Then everyone wanted to use it.
Mystery grips village after 'priceless' trophy fleeced from museum
By Hayden Smith
For years, a prestigious trophy that represented Australia's ties to Italian high fashion took pride of place in a Tasmanian museum. But it is now missing after a 'targeted' overnight robbery.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-11/stolen-zegna-wool-trophy-in-ross/106202202
Facing closure after 62 years, the Australian Design Centre holds its final show
By Nicola Heath
Second Look — Legacy celebrates sustainable making while paying homage to one of the most influential figures in Australia craft and design.
#Craft #VisualArt #ArtsCultureandEntertainment #Design #LibrariesMuseumsandGalleries #Art #NicolaHeath
Videos made by SA librarians attract likes from Ariana Grande
By Emma Masters
The team at Adelaide's City of Marion Libraries grows a legion of fans on social media and sees their videos go viral, clocking up millions of views.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-07/city-of-marion-librarians-go-viral-on-social-media/106202866
#LibrariesMuseumsandGalleries #Communities #SocialMedia #EmmaMasters
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