South Australian Parliament Research Library

08/09/2026

A function to-day, hosted by the Hon. Reggie Martin MLC President of the Legislative Council, was held to acknowledge 100 years since the birth of Don Dunstan, the 35th premier of South Australia. The Library put on a display. We have a copy of the cookbook in the collection, and got as many signatures as I could. One signature made it into both the cookbook, and the Library Visitor Book, too, of course....Needless to say, the cookbook is no longer available for loan! Don Dunstan Foundation

02/09/2026

With the 50th anniversary of Rundle Mall, some earlier photos of Rundle St: the Myer Emporium and the north side of Rundle St (Gawler-St Stephens Place). From 'Progressive Adelaide' (1936). Complete with cars!

19/08/2026

'A New System of Domestic Cookery...by a Lady'. The 'Lady' in question was Mrs Rundell who was the first 'domestic goddess' - a Nigella Lawson or Maggie B**r of 1814. This publication is like the first 'Green and Gold': an early international best-seller (over 500,000 copies globally) and was in print until the 1880s. Here though is an example of what we all do - a previous owner has recorded their own recipe for Lemon Cheesecake. If you can read it and then make it, love to hear how you go!!

18/08/2026

The Parliamentary Library has welcomed a number of visiting dignitaries recently. These include the Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Australia, His Excellency F.M. Borhan Uddin as the guest of the Nat Cook MP, Speaker of the House of Assembly. His Excellency was accompanied by the Bangladeshi consul-general, the head of chancery and the High Commission's first secretary. Bangladesh High Commission Canberra Australian High Commission, Bangladesh

14/08/2026

The Bernadette Bean Award recognises the quality of information and knowledge management in South Australia. Very proud that the SA Parliamentary Library was awarded equal second in the State for 'The Registry ". This in-house system seamlessly links all MPs, candidates, election campaigns, political parties, and electoral districts for colonial SA, and state and federal level, since 1857 with all our relevant digital holdings. Following on from our success at the Microsoft SharePoint Hackathon it is great to receive some home-grown recognition and we thank the judging panel for their time and consideration.

🎉 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗔 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦! 🎉
We are absolutely thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2026 Bernadette Bean SA Records Management Service Excellence Award! 🏆

Established in memory of the late Bernadette Bean, this prestigious Award recognises individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions to records, information, archives and knowledge management, and to the preservation of history, museum, cultural heritage and library collections.

🏆 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦
Following the Award Judging Panel's assessment of a record-equalling number of outstanding nominations, the Award Governance Committee is proud to recognise the following nine 2026 Award recipients:

🏆 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥'𝗦 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗
🔹 Records Management Team, Rural City of Murray Bridge - For the Transition of Lerwin Residential Care to Roshana Care Group Records Management Project

🎖️ 𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦-𝗨𝗣 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦
🔹 Anna Graves and Dr John Weste, South Australian Parliament Research Library - For ‘The Registry’ Project

🔹 Corporate Records Management Team, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network - NALHN - For the NALHN Information Asset Register Project

🔹 Kimberley Dye, State Library of South Australia

🎖️ 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦
🔹 Antoniette Spiniello, City of Burnside

🔹 Jill Leonard, District Council Coober Pedy

🔹 Lise Windsor, The Adelaide Repertory Theatre (Adelaide Rep)

🔹 Dr Margaret Morgan and Sue Speck, Yankalilla and District Historical Society Inc.

🔹 Richard Debono and Dr Peter Dean, Adelaide Botanic Garden & State Herbarium of South Australia

👏 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗨𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦!
Their remarkable achievements demonstrate the outstanding service, expertise and commitment being contributed across South Australia's records, information, archives, library, museum, history and cultural heritage sectors.

🌟 We hope each recipient enjoys this very special recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to our profession.

👉 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗕𝗘𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦
Explore each Award recipient's exceptional achievements, read the Award Judging Panel's assessment comments, and discover our distinguished past Award recipients:
https://bbrmaward.com/home-page/award-nominations/current-and-past-nominations/

A special thank you to RIMPA Global for its continued endorsement and generous support of the Bernadette Bean Award.🙏 We are delighted to share that RIMPA Live 2026 will be held in Sydney from 20–22 October 2026. 📌 The convention will bring together records and information management professionals from across Australia and beyond to connect, learn, share knowledge and celebrate excellence across our profession. https://www.rimpa.com.au/events/rimpa-live-2026.html

👉 For more information about the Bernadette Bean Award and the story behind its namesake, visit:
🌐 https://bbrmaward.com/home-page/bernadettes-story/
🌐 https://bbrmaward.com/

04/08/2026

I think our first ever visit by a group of Korean school students to the Parliamentary Library and were hosted by Alex Dighton MP, Member for Black. The students are studying at Hallett Cove School for this fortnight and then back home. Hope all enjoyed their visit!

31/07/2026

Compare the pair. The photo on the left is undated (late 1970s/early 80s?) and current day on right. Apart from one taken on a camera and the other on the phone...the big differences are the carpet, the ceiling lights (current lights look old, but are not at all!), there is an extra bookcase now (thank you, Lance), clock on the end wall is gone and not a filing cabinet in sight these days! Perhaps more?

27/07/2026

Back from NSW but while I am trying to catch up....last photo from NSW Legislative Council....a secret door!!! Apparently, during the gold rush there were not enough tradesmen to build the new chamber. Instead, the then President purchased an all-metal frame and then built around it. Refurbishment led to its 'rediscovery' and this door shows the original frame. Also the ceiling lights....I just like them!

24/07/2026

NSW Parliament House Jubilee Room (an old home to the Library). Looking down is the beautiful carpet. If you look carefully on the join you will see the colour break and change. Long thought a fault, the original plans revealed it to be intentional. Looking up, the stunning stained glass with Minerva at its heart.

23/07/2026

Luke and I have just finished our presentation on data analytics and the Library intranet at the PPSN Conference. Thanks to all who took part in the room and online, and for all your questions and encouraging comments. Reward is a tour of the NSW Parliament. These are the actual scissors used to cut the ribbon to open the Sydney Harbour Bridge!! Amazing!