Stories from the archives

Sallay bin Abdullah’s identification paperwork, NAA: J2773, 774/1916

Opium watch

It’s an age-old story: ships, sailors and smuggling. With opium smoking outlawed in 1905, the Australian Customs Service increased their vigilance smuggling became increasingly lucrative.

Regine Weiss application for registration as a refugee with passport photo.

Exodus from Vienna

Following the Nazi annexation of Austria in March 1938, many members of Vienna’s Jewish community fled, seeking refuge overseas. Amongst them were Michael and Regine Weiss and their family.

People walking in front of a mural with the writing 'Welcome to Aboriginal land'

Reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility

Caroline Ashworth, Chair of our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, reflects on her journey of making change and taking responsibility.

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1954.

The 1954 royal tour

On 3 February 1954 the steamship 'Gothic' arrived in Sydney Harbour, carrying the first reigning monarch to visit Australia – Queen Elizabeth I and her husband Prince Philip.

Men in suits wearing hard hats standing before a rocket gantry.

Rocket man

Richard Gardiner Casey, Baron Casey of Berwick (1890 – 1976) served Australia as an army officer, public servant, parliamentarian, cabinet minister, diplomat and Governor General. He also had a personal fascination with space.

Passport of Luigia de Lazzari with her photograph and visa ‘good for travelling to Australia’.

Commemorating 100 years in Australia

On 20 April 2022, the Moro family visited the National Archives research centre in Brisbane to commemorate the day, 100 years ago, that their mother and grandmother left Italy for her journey to Australia.

View from the summit of Mount Ainslie, 1929.

Something for all of us

In 1911, Marion Mahony Griffin and her husband Walter Burley Griffin imagined the Australian capital during a cold Chicago winter.

Four men of the Volunteer Defence Corps relaxing on the grass.

Unsung heroes

80 years ago, the Volunteer Defence Corps stood ready to help defend Australia following Japan’s explosive entry into the Second World War.

Luigia Magro and her eight children who arrived in Melbourne in January 1953.

More than mug shots

Maltese migration records from 1948 to 1955 bring to light amazing photographs which convey the spirit and character of these migrants.

Registration application for whisky brand Craignish.

Innovation and invention

From the iconic, to the unique and quirky, explore some of thousands of patents, designs and trademarks in the National Archives collection.

View from the Summit of Mount Ainslie, 1911-1912

Painting the hills

Marion Mahony and Walter Burley Griffin's love of nature was fundamental to their design for Australia's new capital.

Proclamation of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II signed by Australian government ministers.

Seventy not out

This year, Queen Elizabeth II marks her ‘platinum jubilee’ – the seventieth 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne.