Look History in the Eye, Melbourne

Behind Melbourne’s fading advertisements lie stories that were never meant to survive. In this talk, author and historian Sean Reynolds uncovers the hidden lives of women revealed through his Melbourne Ghost Signs research - stories found not only on walls, but in rate books, police files, directories, inquests, and the deep holdings of PROV. Recorded live at the Victorian Archives Centre in February 2026.
This podcast is produced by Public Record Office Victoria, the archive of the state government of Victoria. To view the podcast homepage and all episodes, and to view records related to this episode go to https://prov.vic.gov.au/look-history-eye-podcast

What secrets do Melbourne's ghost signs hold? Join us as Sean Reynolds, the Instagram-famous 'ghost sign guy' shares tales of roving North Melbourne  unveiling the vibrant history embedded in every brush stroke. We pause at enchanting spots like the Maison Marnay Brandy sign, and learn about Sidney Albert Cheney, the automotive pioneer who helped bring Chevrolet and Morris to Australian roads. This is a recording from Rare Book Week 2024.
This podcast is produced by Public Record Office Victoria, the archive of the state government of Victoria. To view the podcast homepage and all episodes, and to view records related to this episode go to https://prov.vic.gov.au/look-history-eye-podcast

Unravel the enigma of the 'Sandy Point Man'. Discover how advanced forensic techniques combined with historical detective work put a name to a skeleton discovered off the coast of Victoria in 2017. With Victorian forensic experts Dr. Dadna Hartman and Dr. Runa Daniel leading the charge, hear how they applied complex methods like bomb pulse dating and forensic genetic genealogy to give the body a name and reveal what happened the day he disappeared.
This podcast is produced by Public Record Office Victoria, the archive of the state government of Victoria. To view the podcast homepage and all episodes, and to view records related to this episode go to https://prov.vic.gov.au/look-history-eye-podcast

Join us as we journey into the profound stories of Australian women who ventured to the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, leaving their mark on the art world, sport, politics, and society. With historian Dr. Yves Rees as our guide, we uncover research into pioneering artist Mary Cecil Allen, Judge May Lahey, surfer and teacher Isabel Letham and social economist Persia Campbell, whose remarkable achievements built bridges across the Pacific before the second world war tied the knot. A lecture by Dr Rees following the publication of their book Travelling To Tomorrow.  
This podcast is produced by Public Record Office Victoria, the archive of the state government of Victoria. To view the podcast homepage and all episodes, and to view records related to this episode go to https://prov.vic.gov.au/look-history-eye-podcast

The Brookside Reformatory for Girls was in Cape Clear, ten miles from Scarsdale Victoria. Award-winning education journalist Erica Cervini delves into its cruel and unusual treatment of girls, their multiple escapes, and what we can learn from its ultimate failure. The Brookside girls is episode 14 of Look history in the eye. Erica recently wrote an article for Public Record Office Victoria's Provenance Journal 

Presented by Tara Oldfield and Public Record Office Victoria.

The featured song, A bird in a gilded cage, is performed by Tara Oldfield (vocals) and Sarah Harris (piano). Additional voice acting is done by Natasha Cantwell, Asa Letourneau and Sebastian Gurciullo.

Please note that this episode contains details of child abuse in institutional care and may be upsetting for some listeners.

Visit the episode page to see original records related to the Brookside girls, and for a link to Erica's Provenance article: https://prov.vic.gov.au/podcast-episode-14-brookside-girls
This podcast is produced by Public Record Office Victoria, the archive of the state government of Victoria. To view the podcast homepage and all episodes, and to view records related to this episode go to https://prov.vic.gov.au/look-history-eye-podcast