250,000 feet in trainers, high heels, school shoes, walking boots and thongs cross the floors of this museum every year. Many of these feet enter the very heart of the building—the Chambers—and walk across the floor in the footsteps of so many Members and Senators before them. Inevitably, this high volume of traffic has an impact on the building fabric.

Recently a 10 cm split was detected in the carpet on the floor of the House of Representatives. What should we do? The split was in a prominent location and this area was subject to heavy foot traffic. The rest of the carpet was still in good order so replacement was not an option.

A team of expert conservators investigated and it was decided to mend the split using green carpet wool, a long, strong curved needle and a heap of patience. A row of tiny stitches has brought the two edges back together. It is like the shoemaker’s elves have been in overnight. The mend is almost undetectable.

Check the floor of the House of Representatives in front of the Opposition front benches and see if you can spot it.