Picture Trails: Society

Fashion

Smart and sophisticated, quirky or outrageous, Australian fashion throughout the decades reflects the changes in our society and lifestyle.

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Unidentified model wearing a hat in a fashion advertisement for Myer, 1947 / Wolfgang Sievers nla.pic-an24849901

Multicultural Australia

Australians come from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Well over 25 percent of Australians were born overseas. Over 200 languages are spoken. Our cosmopolitan national outlook is reflected in the way we dress, in the food we eat and in the traditions we maintain.

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Cheese and other delicatessen items on a small stall run by a Greek family at the Queen Victoria Markets, Melbourne, 1996; National Library of Australia (detail)

Australians at play

Australians are renowned for their fun and varied outdoor lifestyle.

View images of Australians playing on the beach, in the country and in the mountains in this inspiring trail.

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A group of lifesavers gathered around a patrol reel in Surfers Paradise, Queensland, 1958 (detail); National Archives of Australia

Inspirational Australian women

View highlights that show the role women have played in the development of Australian society. From theatre and the arts, to politics and the sciences, Australian women have provided inspiration to many.

Additional information can be found at Women's History Month and the National Foundation for Australian Women.

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Olympic Runner Cathy Freeman training, 1993 (detail); National Archives of Australia

Magic, oddities and travelling shows

View interesting images of oddities of nature and the circus world, and personalities of theatre and magic.

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Great South Sea Caterpillar, transformed into a Bath Butterfly (detail); Gillray, James and Humphrey, H; 1795; State Library of Tasmania

Murder and mayhem

Australia's brief history since 1788 reveals many scenes of conflict between Colonists and Aboriginals and later the rogue bushrangers. This trail provides an interesting insight into the darker side of Australian history and society.

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Life's revenge by Walter Howard (detail); State Library of Tasmania

The Maori story

The history of the Maori people makes a long and fascinating story. Their colourful and deeply held cultural traditions have had an impact in Australia as well as in their homeland.

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Rangihuatau, Chief of Wanganui, New Zealand (detail); Joseph Gaut, 1887; National Library of Australia