National Archives of Australia

The National Archives' 2008 Ian Maclean Award has gone to an innovative project that will use creative visualisation to interpret large sets of archival data.

From carbon paper to laser printers, a new book by Ian Batterham is a richly-illustrated history of copying technologies, as well as an essential reference for anyone interested in paper conservation.

The latest Memento magazine features Lee Lin Chin on fashion, subantarctic islands, fascinating World War I stories, weather watchers and more from the National Archives' collection.

As part of 2008 Constitution Day celebrations, Professor Mick Dodson spoke at the National Archives in Canberra. His talk, on the continuing relevance of the Constitution for Indigenous people, can now be downloaded from the National Archives website.

The National Archives is very happy to invite archivists from around the world to Brisbane to attend the next congress of the International Council on Archives in 2012.

The fashion trends of the 60s and 70s are on display at the National Archives in Canberra in the photographic exhibition Strike a Pose ... with Lee Lin Chin.

On 9 July 1900 the Australian Constitution became law. The National Archives is celebrating 9 July, Constitution Day, with activities to highlight the importance of Australia's founding document.

Ross Gibbs talks about the new National Archives Advisory Committee, a recently acquired historic map of Antarctica, and how the Archives is celebrating Constitution Day 2008.

Events in the lives of many Australian families can be traced in National Archives records. To inspire researchers with some of the possibilities, the National Archives website now includes five family case studies drawn from our collection. Featured families include those of actor Noni Hazlehurst and presenter and author Annette Shun Wah. The case studies include sample documents and link to whole digitised files.

George Brownbill, former Secretary to the Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security (RCIS), addressed a National Archives media briefing on 27 May.

Working with relevant security and intelligence agencies, the National Archives of Australia has released many of the Royal Commission's 2000 records for public access.

George Brownbill's talk presented an 'insider's perspective' on the workings of the Royal Commission, the first major inquiry into the history, structures and functions of Australia's security and intelligence services. You can read Brownbill's speech notes, or listen to audio of his presentation.

The Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security operated from 1974 to 1977. Also known as the Hope Royal Commission, it was led by the Hon. Mr Justice Robert Hope and inquired into the history, administrative structures and functions of Australia's security and intelligence services. The National Archives of Australia has released much of the material from the reports and other records created or received by the Commission.

Footprints: The Journey of Lucy and Percy Pepper tells the story of an Aboriginal family from Gippsland, Victoria, affected by laws and government policies that defined who was 'Aboriginal' and who was not. The Peppers' struggle to survive ill health and poverty and keep their extended family together is revealed in this new book, which contains numerous private and official letters. It was published by the National Archives of Australia and Public Record Office Victoria, and launched by the Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Richard Wynne, on 13 May.