is a section of the State Library of Victoria and is Victoria's chief research centre and reference library for Australian history and literature. It is the State's principal repository for manuscript material, historical paintings, newspapers, etc., relating to the history of Australia and the Pacific and especially Victoria.

is a society founded in 1966. Its aims are to publicise the Library, to attract financial support for it, to help to fill gaps in the book-collection, and to encourage the donation of manuscript and other material.

With regard to the last objective, the Friends seek to locate diaries, letters and other family or institutional papers which have survived, and to acquire such material for the Library or to arrange to have it photo-copied by negotiation with the owners.

The Friends’ Patrons are His Excellency, Rear-Admiral Sir Brian Murray, K.C.M.G., A.O., K.St.J. (Patron-in-chief); Hon. John Cain, Q.C., M.L.A.; Hon. Sir Rupert Hamer, K.C.M.G., E.D.; Hon. Sir Henry Bolte, G.C.M.G.; Professor R. M. Crawford.

The Friends’ office bearers are: President, Mrs. Lurline Stuart; Vice-President, Professor A.G.L. Shaw; Hon. Treasurer, S.R.C. Wood, Esq., D.F.C.; Hon. Secretary, John Holroyd, Esq.; Librarian, Miss Dianne Reilly (La Trobe Librarian).

The Committee of the Friends is W. M. Horton, Esq. (State Librarian); Mrs. E. W. Tipping, M.B.E.; Associate Professor E.D. Potts; John Arnold, Esq.; Dr. Alan Frost; Jock Murphy, Esq.; Nigel Sinnott, Esq.; Dr. Geoffrey Serle; Paul Macpherson Esq.; Stuart Sayers, Esq.; Dr. Martin Sullivan.

New Friends will be welcomed, especially if they are prepared to be active. The annual subscription is $12 (which includes the Journal). The Friends’ address is State Library of Victoria, Swanston Street, Melbourne, 3000.