Giving to the Museum of Australian Democracy

You can help to ensure that Australia’s democratic, political and parliamentary heritage is preserved for the benefit of future generations by making a gift to the Museum of Australian Democracy.

The museum is a Deductible Gift Recipient under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, and regularly accepts donations under the auspices of the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program.

Please don’t send unsolicited items

Talk to us first about what you would like to donate and we will assess it to ensure it meets the museum’s collection policy. If appropriate, the museum will assist in submitting your claim as a tax deduction through the Cultural Gifts Program. Please note that museum staff cannot offer valuations of material you may own.

What we collect

The museum collection includes material in a wide variety of formats:

• Badges
• Medals
• Banners
• Posters
• Leaflets and handbills
• Parliamentary memorabilia
• Furniture and other items associated with Old Parliament House
• Electioneering material and items associated with voting.

Although mostly Australian, major movements in democratic history worldwide are represented, such as the struggle for parliamentary supremacy in 17th century England and the anti-slavery movement of the 18th century.

A priority for collection development at present is political badges from a wide range of causes. Our primary avenue of collecting badges is online at The Great Badge Swap. We are interested in collecting the stories of what these badges represented to those who wore them.

Another priority is collecting material which documents the role of women as leaders and reformers. Recent donations include banners, badges and T-shirts produced by the Women’s Electoral Lobby and items from the International Women’s Year in 1975.

For more information about donating to the museum, please contact:

Libby Stewart
Senior Historian & Research Manager
Ph 6270 8231
libby.stewart@moadoph.gov.au

Or by mail to:

Libby Stewart
Museum of Australian Democracy
PO Box 7088
Canberra BC ACT 2610

Please do not send material before discussing it with museum staff. It is important that it be assessed properly before being despatched, and for appropriate methods of freight to be arranged.