March 19, 2009

Filed under

• Democracy
• General

In this issue of the newsletter our Director, Jenny Anderson, reflects on the announcement, made by Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner, on 18 February 2009 that Old Parliament House will become the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House on 9 May 2009.

Senator Faulkner also announced that celebrated Australian actor and writer William McInnes has been appointed as the new Chair of the Old Parliament House Advisory Council (formerly the Old Parliament House Governing Council) for a three year term, which commenced on 16 February.

William McInnes has received AFI and Logie Awards for his work as a film and television actor, and was named Australian Newcomer of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards in 2006. Also a noted speaker, Mr McInnes delivered the John Batman Oration on “What it means to be Australian” in 2007.

An article by William McInnes, ‘An afternoon at Old Parliament House’, is published in the newsletter. It contains excerpts from his ‘Beef sangers welcome where the people meet to give thanks’ article, published in The Sydney Morning Herald on 22 December 2007.

Run of the House also has a behind the scenes look at what is in store for the 9 May opening of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. The exhibitions and experiences will include:

• Australian Democracy—more than 2000 years in the making. Located in the former Parliamentary Library, the exhibition will trace the ancient concept of democracy from its earliest beginnings up to the present day and introduce visitors to an overview of the development of Australian democracy.

• Once visitors have gained this contextual understanding of democracy they can discover Living Democracy: the power of the people. This exhibition asks how we use our voices in Australian democracy and what sort of issues inspire us.

• Two Decision Theatres will be enable visitors to immerse themselves in an issue and actively grapple with the complexity and uncertainty of a major decision. The first, CABINET-IN-CONFIDENCE, will be located in the former Cabinet Room and will invite visitors to participate in historical Cabinet decisions. The other Decision Theatre, Decisions 360, will be a fast-moving, youth-focussed experience for upper-secondary school students and other booked groups.