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Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

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Arthur Boyd: An Active Witness:

Arthur Boyd: An Active Witness

Until 29 September 2013

Wear your colours:

Wear your colours

Exhibition interactive and website

Behind the Lines 2012:

Behind the Lines 2012

On display 11 December 2012

Discovering Mildenhall’s Canberra:

Discovering Mildenhall’s Canberra

Photographs from the birth of our capital

Australian Federal election speeches:

Australian Federal election speeches

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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.

Admission and opening hours

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

Discovering Mildenhall’s Canberra

Website

Behind the Lines 2012 looks back on the highs and lows of the political year through the eyes of Australia’s best cartoonists.Open until November 2013Behind the Lines 2012Opens 17 December 2012Art is a WeaponOpens December 2012Art of InfluenceArthur Boyd, Hanging rocks with bathers and Mars, c1985, oil on canvas. Bundanon Trust Collection.Opens 8 May 2013Arthur Boyd: An Active Witness
May 15, 2013

From the Oral History collection: Barrie Virtue

Barry Virtue

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.

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May 10, 2013

Secret squirrel stationery

The door behind a door, very sneaky

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.

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May 7, 2013

Margaret Thatcher and Malcolm Fraser in Canberra

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and British PM Magaret Thatcher in Canberra, 1st July 1979. The Age.

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.

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May 1, 2013

From the Oral History collection: Earle Page

Earle Page

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.

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April 30, 2013

A perfect picture of the statesman: John Christian Watson

Chris Watson (centre) and the first Labour caucus, 1901. Museum of Australian Democracy collection

Last Saturday, 27 April, was the 109th anniversary of the Watson government. On 27 April 1904, the government of Alfred Deakin collapsed after Labour members led by John Christian Watson withdrew support. Watson was then commissioned to form a government, which lasted just four months.

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Websites

Behind the Lines 2012
Discovering Mildenhall’s Canberra
Wear your colours
Election speeches
Dismissed!
The Petrov Affair
Billy Hughes at War
Beyond Reasonable Drought

From the Collection

Table

Table

Black bean veneer rectangular side table; cross banded top with mitred corners on square section legs.

View this collection item

Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

18 King George Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600, Australia

PO Box 7088, Canberra BC ACT 2610

Open daily 9am—5pm


Telephone: 02 6270 8222
Enquiries: info@moadoph.gov.au

For feedback on the website: website@moadoph.gov.au

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Old Parliament House is an Executive Agency within the Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport portfolio.