Author: Melbourning

You’ve probably used one of Alan Adler’s photobooths without even knowing it. For more than 50 years, this unassuming technician maintained Melbourne’s iconic photo booths- including the legendary Flinders Street Station booth – becoming the world’s oldest and longest-serving photobooth specialist before his passing last year. Auto-Photo: A Life in Portraits unveils Adler’s extraordinary legacy through an accidental archive: thousands of test strips he shot weekly while servicing machines. These repetitive self-portraits, now numbering over a thousand, document both the passage of time and an obsessive dedication to analogue photography. The exhibition arrives as photobooths celebrate their 100th anniversary, showcasing Adler’s…

The beloved Ocean Sounds Festival will take over Phillip Island with music once again when it returns for its ninth edition on Saturday 10 January 2026. This year’s sunset concert series promises an unforgettable day of soul, indie, and electronic beats headlined by The Teskey Brothers, with a DJ set from The Presets and a special performance by Millowl Dreaming. Joining them are Thelma Plum, Steph Strings, Playlunch Holly Hebe, and The Foxy Junes – a lineup celebrating Australia’s finest live acts against the island’s breathtaking coastal backdrop. Beyond the music, guests can indulge in local wines, gourmet food vans, and artisanal cheeses, making it the ultimate summer picnic with a…

The AFL has announced the return of its successful Kids Go Free program for 2025, giving families the chance to enjoy live footy without breaking the bank. Children aged 14 and under can attend matches for free during Rounds 16-19 (26 June – 20 July), perfectly timed with school holidays across Australia. Now in its fourth year, the initiative has proven hugely popular, driving a 12.8% increase in junior attendance during last year’s campaign period. In 2024 alone, 24,500 first-time junior ticket holders experienced the excitement of live AFL action. This year promises even more family-friendly fun, with enhanced match-day entertainment, giveaways,…

The Langham, Melbourne has partnered with iconic British brand Laura Ashley to launch an exclusive afternoon tea experience at Aria Bar & Lounge, running from 1 July to 14 August 2025. This elegant collaboration celebrates the shared heritage of both brands, offering guests a taste of timeless British sophistication with a modern twist. Available Tuesday to Thursday with two daily sittings, the menu features classic delights reimagined for contemporary palates. Highlights include delicate cucumber and chive butter sandwiches, richly spiced coronation chicken sandwiches, a light strawberry and rhubarb Victoria sponge and The Langham’s signature Battenberg cake – all paired with…

The State Library of Victoria’s celebrated after-hours series, Salon After D’Arc, returns in 2025 with bestselling author and broadcaster Jamila Rizvi leading four thought-provoking evenings exploring the hidden forces that shape knowledge – from media myths to cultural rituals. Running from June to October, the program blends panel discussions, live experiments, rare collection viewings, and cocktails in the Library’s iconic Conversation Quarter. Supported by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust and the Women Writers Fund, established to address historical gaps in the Library’s collections, the series continues its mission to amplify underrepresented voices. “Programs like Salon After D’Arc affirm our role as an active…

Acclaimed Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith returns to the dark, seductive world of Patricia Highsmith with a glittering stage adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley, set to premiere at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Playhouse from 28 October to 23 November 2025. Following its world premiere season at Sydney Theatre Company in August, this psychological thriller will reunite Murray-Smith with director Sarah Goodes—the creative duo behind Julia and Switzerland—to transform Highsmith’s iconic novel into an electrifying theatrical experience. Starring Will McDonald (Heartbreak High) as the enigmatic Tom Ripley, the production boasts a stellar Australian cast including Claude Scott-Mitchell, Faisal Hamza, Andrew McFarlane, and Johnny Nasser. The story…

The original voice of Skid Row, Sebastian Bach, is returning to Australia in 2025 for a high-octane tour that will see him perform the band’s groundbreaking self-titled debut album in its entirety for the first time on Australian soil. This explosive celebration of one of rock’s most iconic records will give fans the chance to experience classics like “Youth Gone Wild,” “18 and Life,” “Big Guns,” and “I Remember You” performed live by the legendary frontman who made them unforgettable. In Melbourne, fans can catch him at The Forum on 27 November. Bach’s raw, unfiltered energy remains unmatched, with Classic Rock…

This winter, Flowerdale Estate in Strath Creek, Victoria, will host Illumina – A Light and Sound Experience from July 10 to 13, 2025. Set against the backdrop of the estate’s historic gardens, Illumina offers a dreamlike journey through glowing gardens, flickering firelight, and immersive soundscapes that stir the soul.  Visitors can wander beneath trees that shimmer with colour, feel the warmth of crackling firepits while roasting marshmallows under the stars, and let neon face-paint transform them into part of the art. Music guides guests through a luminous world designed to enchant all ages.  To ensure a smooth experience, arrival times are staggered every half…

Melbourne Rare Book Week returns in 2025 with an extraordinary lineup of events, exhibitions, and lectures that celebrate the fascinating world of rare and collectible books. Since its inception in 2012 as the world’s first dedicated rare book week, the beloved event has grown into an international drawcard, attracting bibliophiles, scholars, and collectors from around the globe. Running from 24 July to 2 August, this year’s program features 43 free events hosted across Melbourne in collaboration with Victoria’s leading cultural institutions. Highlights include thought-provoking lectures and panel discussions on a wide range of topics—from significant women in the natural sciences and the English Civil War to the history…

Melbourne Museum is turning childhood dreams into reality with its new Museum Sleepover series – extraordinary after-hours adventures where guests can spend the night among dinosaurs, starships, and museum treasures. Designed for both adults and families, these premium sleepovers offer torchlit tours, exclusive exhibition access, and the unforgettable experience of sleeping beneath towering dinosaur skeletons on luxurious Ecosa mattresses. Adults can relive the magic of school excursions with a sophisticated twist. The evening begins with a welcome drink before taking an exclusive torchlight tour of Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs. Guests will then enjoy private access to Lego® Star Wars™: The Exhibition, followed by…

International cricketers from four nations will descend on Mildura in September for the 2025 Spirit of Cricket Festivale tournament. Now in its second year, the event will feature Over 50 and Over 55 cricketers from Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada who will represent their countries from 14 – 24 September while the second week 25 – 30 September will see 8 Over 50s T20 franchises compete for $25,000 in prize money. Event founder Anthony Telfer said the tournament would offer a veritable feast of cricket for local spectators while putting Mildura on the international stage. “Each country is sending over…