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
Opens December 2012Art of Influence
Opens 8 May 2013Arthur Boyd: An Active Witness
Open until November 2013Behind the Lines 2012
Opens 17 December 2012Art is a Weapon
In 2015, two years from now, Australians and others around the world will celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, a document of rights which was forced upon King John of England on 15 June 1215.
For the last couple of months I have been sequestered away in the museum bunker poring over and cataloguing more than 600 architectural plans. The plans trace the design, building and evolution of Old Parliament House from 1921 until 1988.
Neil Glasser MVO was Director of Promotions at the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney during the 1980s. He was responsible for the replica Crown Jewels that were on display there for many years and that now form part of the Museum of Australian Democracy’s collection.
Ray Millikin, a teacher at the Orana Steiner School, is currently using the research collection at the museum to develop a unit of work on the Whitlam Dismissal for classroom use in the context of the Events in Australian Politics component of the new ACT Global Studies curriculum.
From the 14 to 20 April I had the opportunity to participate in a five day course with the Institute for Professional Practice in the Arts and Heritage, ANU held at Kakadu National Park. Wondering what tropical climates and timber buildings would hold in store for our nationally listed ‘people’s’ house, I admit to being wonderfully surprised.
The dining and kitchen facilities at the Provisional Parliament House were an important aspect of the building, as it was designed to be fully self-contained. These facilities assisted in providing Ministers, Members…
