In the same week that Mount Panorama echoed with the roar of high tech production cars, the National Archives of Australia is launching its own innovative creation – a new website for students called Vrroom.

Vrroom – the virtual reading room – a website aimed primarily at students, will be launched by the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp on Thursday 13 October at 10 am at the Archives on Queen Victoria Terrace.

Developed by the Archives to bring the records of the Australian government to the classrooms and desktops of students and teachers everywhere, Vrroom encourages students to find resources and take notes online.

Senator Kemp said that the new website would reach thousands of students, fulfilling one of the National Archives’ core objectives of making its collection known and accessible to the public.

‘By encouraging students to use original records to learn about social issues, the Archives is providing a genuine historical context through stories and experiences that resonate with children,’ Senator Kemp said.

The Director-General of the National Archives, Ross Gibbs, says Vrroom uses modern technology to engage the future users of archival records.

‘Vrroom had its genesis in a partnership between the National Archives and Swinburne University’s Institute for Social Research that attracted a linkage grant from the Australian Research Council. The Archives then ran with the project, building an interactive website and online teaching resource that aims to encourage teachers and students to use archival materials within discovery-oriented teaching and learning,’ Mr Gibbs said.

‘Vrroom fulfils that aim and provides students with an easy entry to the Archives collection,’ he said.

The general topics already found on Vrroom include immigration, conflicts, gender, and Indigenous rights. Formulated for students and teachers throughout Australia and across all curricula, Vrroom is ideal for anyone engaged in Australian studies, politics, geography, environmental management, and technology.

The launch of Vrroom coincides with the reopening of the refurbished National Archives reading room.