1975 marked the midpoint of a tumultuous decade. Now, 50 years on, the Library’s collections offer an opportunity to look back on what it was like to live in the seventies.
1975 was a year of transition. Music, art, fashion, literature and film transformed the way we saw the world. The long-running Vietnam War finally ended, while revolutions and conflicts erupted elsewhere in Africa and Asia. Governments across the world struggled with rapidly rising energy prices, unemployment and economic stagnation. The women’s liberation movement challenged many long-held assumptions about the roles of women in society. In Australia, the Whitlam government implemented major social reforms but also found itself mired in a series of political controversies, culminating in its dismissal on 11 November 1975.
Content warning: 1975 was a tumultuous year in world history. There were wars, crime, disasters and political controversies. This exhibition includes some sensitive and distressing material.
Please note: Every reasonable endeavour has been made to contact stakeholders of material included in this exhibition. Where this has not been possible, stakeholders are invited to contact the Library’s Exhibitions team at exhibitions@nla.gov.au.
The exhibition runs from 14 August 2025 to 9 March 2026 and is exclusive to Canberra.
Image credit: Wolfgang Sievers, Target store [seen from the parking lot at] Maribyrnong, Victoria, 1975, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-161088650
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