A rich history

In considering what to write for this piece it seemed appropriate to share an experience that has led me to both reflect and take action on some research which I have been intending to pursue for some time. This experience occurred in December 2014 when I was fortunate enough to attend and present a paper at the Australian and New Zealand History of Education (ANZHES) conference. The conference was being held at the former Melbourne Teachers' College (MTC) in the beautiful and atmospheric Gryphon Gallery of the 1888 building, Grattan St, Carlton, now part of the University of Melbourne's Graduate Centre. I always enjoy the breadth of insight into education the ANZHES conference provides but this opportunity was filled with additional significance for me because of its location. I was excited (some would say perhaps a little overexcited!) about the venue as I had spent many memorable hours as an undergraduate student in the building under the guidance of names perhaps familiar to some including Allan Thomas, Doug Down, Wes Young, Bea Fincher, Fay Nicholson, Stella Lees, Kathleen O'Keefe, Graham Corr and others - all linked closely to teacher-librarianship education in Victoria. The venue and its memories spurred me, with the help of research assistant Anna Griffith, to take action and commence long delayed investigation into the history of the library of the Teachers' College and the work of one of former Principal Warwick Eunson, topics which have interested me for some time.