The Invention of Melbourne defines the relationship between an architect of genius, William Wardell, and the first Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, James Goold, an Irishman educated in Risorgimento, Italy. Their partnership produced St Patrick's, the largest cathedral of the 19th century anywhere in the world, and some thirteen churches, decorated with hundreds of Baroque paintings. These ambitious policies coincided with the Gold Rush, which contributed financially to their success. The contribution made by Wardell and Goold to the built environment of Melbourne remains significant. Together, they actively and creatively shaped the city that became a major international metropolis.

The Architecture of Devotion: James Goold and His Legacies in Colonial Melbourne honours the life and cultural contribution of Archbishop James Alipius Goold (1812–1886). Goold arrived in 1848 as the first Catholic bishop of the newly created diocese of Melbourne and quickly adapted to Australian colonial conditions, setting about establishing an extraordinary network of schools, churches and welfare institutions across Victoria. Beyond the immediate task of building bluestone, bricks and mortar, Goold carried a grand vision, sensing that Melbourne was on its way to becoming a grand international metropolis. A collector and man of refined taste, Goold not only adorned religious institutions with quality Baroque artwork, but he also amassed a unique book collection and private library that showcased his European cultural sensibilities. A companion to The Invention of Melbourne: A Baroque Archbishop and a Gothic Architect (2019), The Architecture of Devotion brings Goold to life as we follow him around the colony and witness how he shaped the fabric of Victorian suburbs and towns. These volumes have been supported by the Australian Research Council, which has recognised them as among the best research projects in Australia.The Invention of Melbourne was commended in the Victorian Community History Award ‘History Publication Award’, 2020.

Over two years, writer Nick Gadd and his wife Lynne circled the city of Melbourne on foot, starting at Williamstown and ending in Port Melbourne. Along the way they uncovered lost buildings, secret places and mysterious signs that told of forgotten stories and curious characters from the past. Soon after they completed the circle, Lynne passed away from cancer. Melbourne Circle is the story of their journey, a memoir, and a stunning meditation on personal loss. ‘What a gem this book is! Oddity, wonderment, weirdness: these splendid essays reveal a marvellous Melbourne most of us have never encountered before. This is a psychogeography dense with vernacular history, humane detail, and from beneath the shadow of grief, love.’ –­ Gail Jones, author of Five Bells and The Death of Noah Glass ‘‘‘Psychojogging”’ and the pleasures of walking.’ – interview with Hilary Harper on Radio National, Life Matters ‘Marvellous Melbourne: the books that capture our city and its life.’ – The Age/Sydney Morning Herald ‘Melbourne Circle: Walking, Memory and Loss is a very special book. Just read it, and then take to the streets and walk with the same spirit of enquiry.’ – Sophie Cunningham, The Age ‘A beautiful meditation on the streets in which we live, ghosts, love and loss … While there is sadness in this book, Gadd writes with warmth, humour and a generosity of spirit.’ – Stephen Romei, The Weekend Australian ‘An endearing book about enduring love and serendipitous discoveries; of remnants of the past pasted onto old buildings, and the way these ghost signs are portals into another time.’ – The Saturday Paper

This account of European settlement in the modern state of Victoria, Australia, spans developments from the first convict camp established in 1803 on the Bass Strait to the contemporary separation of the district from New South Wales. Aborigines, whalers, adventurers, squatters, speculators, and immigrants figure into this history of Victoria before the gold rush. The stories of such key leaders as John Baton and John Pascoe Fawkner offer insight into the founding of Melbourne, the economic depression and recovery of the 19th century, and the social progress of the 20th century. Details are drawn from primary sources including correspondence between officials in Melbourne, Sydney, and London and newspapers from Batman, Swanston, the Port Phillip Association, and La Trobe.

The Invention of Melbourne defines the relationship between an architect of genius, William Wardell, and the first Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, James Goold, an Irishman educated in Risorgimento Italy. The partnership between a colonial architect and a baroque bishop produced St Patrick’s, the largest (and arguably the most beautiful) cathedral of the nineteenth century anywhere in the world, some thirteen churches, decorated with hundreds of Baroque paintings, imported into Australia in the 1850s to excite devotion among Catholics. These ambitious policies coincided with the Gold Rush, which contributed financially to their success. The contribution made by Wardell and Goold to the built environment of Melbourne remains significant within our city.The essays in this volume radically reassess Goold, who until now has been either dismissed as a stern, aloof Irish cleric, or viewed more favourably for his achievements as a champion of Catholic education. Similarly, Wardell’s legacy to Melbourne has been forgotten despite the conspicuous presence of Government House and the Gothic Bank, for many Melburnians their most favourite building. Together, they actively and creatively shaped the city that became a major international metropolis.

Celebration of the book drawing on the collections of the State Library of Victoria.

When its first university was founded 150 years ago, Melbourne was a frontier town of only forty thousand people. This illustrated work tells of the tensions as well as the achievements. It documents the evolution of the campus and evokes the variety of student life. It is suitable for students and their families.