Stories from the archives

Australian Women's Army Service, Army Medical Women's Service, Auxiliary Australia Air Force and Voluntary Aid Detachment.

Girls on film

Photographs in the National Archives’ collection capture the faces of ordinary Australian women whose lives were about to change forever.

I married an alien

When Australian Florence Winter-Irving married a Turkish diplomat in 1913, it caused a sensation. It also had ramifications for her Australian citizenship.

Teddy with his wife and 4 children. NAA: B13, 1933/22224, p. 5

Crowdsourcing the past

A dedicated group of volunteers have made information about Victoria's non-European residents during the White Australia policy available from home.

A postman riding a horse being followed by a dog

Postman vs dog

It's a struggle as old as time.

Lee Pao Sung’s identification card. NAA: D1976, SB1944/868

Dead in the water

In October 1945, a body washed up on the shores of the Port River in Adelaide. It was wrapped in blankets and weighted with ships spanners.

Opening of the extended Canberra Golf Course by the Right Honourable Stanley Melbourne Bruce, 1927. NAA: A3560, 7545

Australia's golf champion prime minister

Prime Minister Stanley Melbourne Bruce is not generally remembered for being a man of the people. Yet if there was one thing that he shared with ordinary Australians, it was a great love of sport.

A photograph of a sea eagle on the arm of its handler. NAA: A1200, L58173.

Harry Frauca: snapshots of the bush

In over 20 years as a wildlife photographer, Harry Frauca contributed to what we know about native Australian wildlife and the habitats they call home.

Prince Charles at the wheel of a white Commonwealth Ford LTD, Richmond RAAF Base

Driving the royals

Making sure the 1950s and 60s royal tours of Australia ran on time at every destination was a fleet of Commonwealth cars and their drivers.

Serventy with a penguin, circa. NAA: K1346, 24

Ships ahoy! Surveying Australian waters for science

Hurried sketches of whales and notes on flying fish. Marine expeditions in the 1930s and 40s contributed to today's knowledge of marine biology and oceanography.

Images from the service record of Lieutenant James Mann. NAA: B883, VX14000

The Battles for Greece and Crete – a personal tragedy

‘Reported missing’. For the Mann family, these dreaded words were the beginning of an agonizing wait to know the fate of their sons.

Card from Audrey Hepburn to Bob Hawke. NAA: M3826, 23, pp 128.

Gratefully, Audrey

In 1989 two stars aligned - the first from the silver screen, and the second a 'Silver Bodgie'.

Edwin Clarendon Cox's reference letter from Don's Garage, 21 April 1941. NAA: A9301, 37094

To whom it may concern: WWII letters of reference

Letters of reference in World War II service records offer a glimpse into enlistees' pre-war lives.