Stories from the archives

Royal seal with the text: Commonwealth of Australia Rex Fidei Defensor, Georgius VI dei gratia, MAG BR HIB et terr, transmar, OVA in dit. SVNT Brit.

Royal seal of approval

The Great Seal of Australia is primarily applied to key documents signed by the governor-general. This seal will remain in use until a new Great Seal of Australia is authorised by King Charles III.

Recruits from the Royal Papuan Constabulary marching on parade and a page from Sergeant Katu's pay ledger.

Green Shadows – the Papuan Infantry Battalion

A battalion of mostly Papuan native soldiers gained a reputation for bravery and became known as the Green Shadows.

Mawson's Hut under construction, 1911-1914 NAA: A14518, GP101

Frozen in time

In January 1912, the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, or AAE, established a main base on the Antarctic continent at Cape Denison. Three-thousand kilometres south of Australia, and on the same longitude as Melbourne, the collection of buildings later became known as Mawson’s Huts. Those huts served as living quarters, a workshop, and a base for scientific observations on one of the first truly scientific expeditions to the icy continent.

Beyond the classroom

In the 1940s, Doris McRae was one of the most senior female educators in Victoria. Beyond the classroom, Doris was also a pacifist, women’s right campaigner, communist and a 'person of interest' to ASIO.

A selection of colourful book and magazine covers behind the word 'Banned'.

Forever Amber – Banned Books

American author Kathleen Winsor’s notorious bestselling bodice-ripper Forever Amber tells the story of Amber St Clare, a peasant-class, illiterate woman who uses her wits and beauty to climb to the heights of King’s mistress in 17th-century Restoration England.

5 people aboard a boat. A man rowing from the stern, 3 standing and a 4th seated at the tiller.

No time lost – Stanley Fowler

Stanley Fowler created an extensive photographic collection while pioneering aerial reconnaissance and research of Australia’s fishing resources.

Scuba diver sitting on rocks with her speargun.

The Sepia – history beneath the waves

The Sepia, an iron hulled 3 mast barque ran aground on December 1898. The ship was discovered by the Underwater Explorer's Club of Western Australia in 1960.

A pop petition

When popstar Normie Rowe was conscripted, one teenage fan was determined to stop him going.

A right royal birthday

On 14 November 2023, His Majesty King Charles III turns 75. The National Archives looks at his long association with Australia, as reflected in the national archival collection.

Children and adults gathered around a large cake decorated for the Legacy Club of Sydney..

A legacy of service and remembrance

Since 1923, Legacy has cared for the families of Australians who lose their lives or health through military service.

Dracula being melodramatic with arms outstretched.

Vampires and Censorship

The National Archives of Australia has a range of records relating to censorship in Australia. Looking at vampires in film highlights the fascinating documentation and artefacts found in the collection.

2 timber cutters operating a large handsaw to fell a Karri tree.

Audiovisual heritage: the Karri Forest

Near the historic timber town of Pemberton, and on the land of the Bibulmun/Piblemen people, the Karri forest features one of the tallest hardwood trees in the world.