In 2008, ³Ô¹ÏÍø was designated a UNESCO City of Literature, and this heralded the establishment of a hub for a diverse range of literary- and ideas-based organisations and activities. This became the Wheeler Centre which officially opened in 2010 in a wing of the State Library of Victoria.

Dedicated to the discussion and practice of writing and ideas, the centre is responsible for programming a range of events across the year. These include the annual Premier's Literary Awards, the annual Deakin Lectures, keynote public events including international speakers, as well as book and magazine launches, speeches, debates, seminars, poetry recitals, book readings, symposia, awards, and performances.

The centre is also a hub for the ³Ô¹ÏÍø Writers’ Festival.