Housed in one of Australia’s most-loved buildings, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House brings the journey of Australian democracy to life—presenting its past, present and possible futures.
Enjoy a range of innovative exhibitions, tours and public programs that challenge and inspire. There are also special activities and spaces for children to explore.
Open daily 9am–5pm (closed Christmas Day)
$2 adults, $1 children and concessions, $5 family
18 King George Terrace, Parkes, Canberra
For more information see Visiting
Open until November 2013Behind the Lines 2012
Opens 17 December 2012Art is a Weapon
Opens December 2012Art of Influence
Opens 8 May 2013Arthur Boyd: An Active Witness
My colleague, Beck Moloney, recently posted a blog about the stationery cupboard that was originally a part of a strong room here in this heritage building. Beck included some photographs of the space, including one of a sign cautioning people not to put keys into the safe and close the door.
Between 1964 and 1984, Barrie Virtue OBE served as press secretary, private secretary and principal private secretary to the Rt. Hon. Doug Anthony. Matters relating to trade were among his highest priorities during this period.
I’ve been working at the museum for over 18 months now and, though I’ve become accustomed to the building’s rabbit warren-like layout and (sometimes) pokey rooms, one place that has continued to pique my interest is the room where we keep our office stationery.
I was recently having breakfast at home reading the Canberra Times (10 April 2013) report of the death of British Prime Minister, Mrs Margaret Thatcher. The article included a series of photos documenting Mrs Thatcher’s life. One of the photos caught my interest. The caption read ‘Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and British PM Margaret Thatcher in Canberra’ 1st July 1979.
This is a rather different item from our Oral History collection: a recording of a radio campaign speech rather than an edited excerpt from an interview. In this broadcast, Sir Earle Page GCMG MP (1880-1961), who had been Deputy Prime Minister since 1923, sees industrial relations as the main issue for the 1929 election.
This office was part of a suite of rooms that was occupied by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and his staff throughout the time the building operated as a working parliament. Many important politicians occupied this suite including the first Speaker at the Provisional Parliament House, Sir Littleton Groom (1926 to 1929), and Joan Child …
