Geoffrey Blainey Research Centre
The Geoffrey Blainey Research Centre houses our mining, historical and art collections, and is open to Federation University staff, researchers and students.
Temporary visiting arrangements
We’re currently making some important updates to the collection, which means we’re not able to welcome drop-in visitors or members of the wider community.
If you'd like to visit, please email libinfo@federation.edu.au or call 1300 552 567 to arrange a time and request any items from the collection you'd like to view.
If you'd like to visit, please email libinfo@federation.edu.au or call 1300 552 567 to arrange a time and request any items from the collection you'd like to view.
About the Centre
The Geoffrey Blainey Research Centre is on the top floor of the Mt Helen Library. It’s home to a supervised reading room where you can explore and enjoy our special and cultural collections.
The Centre is named in honour of Geoffrey Blainey, the foundation Chancellor of the University of Ballarat (now Federation University). This recognises his long and distinguished academic career and his generous donation of books. In 2002, Professor Blainey was awarded a Doctor of Letters for his outstanding contribution to the University and the wider community.
The collections
Items from these collections can be used on site but can’t be borrowed.
Explore historical books, papers and other material related to the early history of mining and the central Victorian Goldfields.
Find works by Federation staff and alumni, dating from 1909. The collection includes prints, ceramics, graphics, paintings and sculptures.
Find works about Australian mining, the Californian Gold Rush, the Klondike Rush and American, New Zealand and African mining history.
Explore works about economic history and theory, donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Professor John Creedy, Truby Williams Professor of Economics at the University of Melbourne.
This extensive collection of historical material relates to Federation University and its predecessors, from 1870 to today.
Explore works about central and western Victorian history, the Eureka Stockade, local industrial heritage and mining in Australia.