The votes have now been tallied and the results are in. You’ve told us ‘what’s on your mind’ Australia! Steve Cannane, Tracey Spicer, Jeffery Robertson and Bianca Dye will be debating the topic Does ‘work/life balance’ exist for Australians today? In the spirit of democracy, What’s on your mind? is about inviting everyday Australians to have a say on the issues that affect us all. The chosen topic will be discussed in a national public forum at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, in the House of Representatives Chamber on Friday 8 May from 11.00am to 12.00pm.
The debate will be hosted by comedian and presenter James…
On 9 May 2009, the new Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House opens as Australia’s first museum dedicated to telling the story of our democracy. The official opening will be from 11.00am – 11.30am on the front steps of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, King George Terrace, Parkes, Canberra.
Program of events
9.30am –11.00am: Breakfast Concert (front steps)
Concert featuring John Williamson, Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach, Lisa Keane Trio
Five choirs singing songs of influence and pride: Sing Australia, Worldly Goods, Canberra Gay and Lesbian Qwire, Voices of Ainslie and Woden Valley Youth Choir
Free…
On 10 April 2009, ABC Radio National’s Peter Mares from The National Interest took a tour through what will become the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, reflecting on the changing nature of our democracy with the key people involved in developing the new museum.
The National Interest asks, how much do we know about the early foundations of democracy in Mesopotamia and ancient Greece and how did the political system develop and weave its way Down Under? How willing are we to sign petitions, to lobby, to take to the streets and protest, to write a letter of complaint? Do we take for granted the democratic freedoms awarded…
In the latest issue of Run of the House (download here) we look at some of the events coming up as part of the opening of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House on 9 May. The What’s on your mind? debate is designed to involve everyday Australians in the democratic process in a fun and engaging way. Until now, people have been able to suggest well-known Australians they would like to see participate in the debate, vote on social and cultural topics, and comment on these topics. Now Australians can vote for who they would like to see debate.
Australians have participated in the campaign by voting for the topic ‘most on their…
The latest issue of the Old Parliament House newsletter, ‘Run of the House’, is now available for download. This and future issues of Run of the House will also be available for download on our media page. 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…
During our redevelopment as the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, we are inviting visitors to help create Old Parliament House’s exciting new visitor experience as part of an exclusive online community. As we recently announced, on 18 February, 2009, Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner announced that Old Parliament House will become the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House on 9 May 2009. This exciting redevelopment will enhance the role of the House in interpreting Australia’s history and democratic traditions.
The Museum will be the first in Australia dedicated to telling the story of our…
On 18 February, 2009, Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner announced that Australia’s much loved heritage-listed landmark, Old Parliament House, will become the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Scheduled to open on 9 May 2009, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House will be Australia’s first museum dedicated to telling the story of our democracy and aims to encourage Australians to understand and participate in our democracy. Visitors will be able to celebrate, debate and experience the past, present and future of Australian democracy.
“We’re excited to reveal that the Museum of Australian…
From Friday 6 to Monday 9 February Old Parliament House will be the venue for Australia’s first Citizens’ Parliament. The Citizens’ Parliament project is bringing together 150 randomly selected citizens, one from each federal electorate, to Old Parliament House to deliberate on the question “How can Australia’s political system be strengthened to serve us better?”
This exciting event is a “Deliberative Democracy” process which aims to provide citizens with information and space for deliberation on the question at hand, in order to culminate a report to be presented to the government. Such processes are becoming increasingly common in many…
Regular visitors to Old Parliament House, or those who once worked in this building, may remember the large terracotta panel known as The Greek Mother. It once sat outside the Parliamentary Library and has also resided in King’s Hall. This wonderful sculpture will form part of our new permanent exhibition located in the Parliamentary Library.
The Greek Mother is by the artist George Tinworth (1843-1913) and was produced in 1904-06. It is an unglazed terracotta panel mounted in a glazed walnut case, with an inscription which reads, The Greek Mother giving the shield to her son with the words ‘Either bring this shield back or be bought back…
Old Parliament House is undergoing a major redevelopment due to open in May 2009. With a range of dynamic interactive tools, the exhibition experience at Old Parliament House will utilise cutting edge technology to engage and challenge visitors.
The redevelopment will provide new experiential learning opportunities for students. General Manager, Kate Cowie, “New education programs will encourage students to question what democracy is, where it came from and what it means to them. We are particularly excited about the interactive decision-making technology. Students will be able to engage with the process of political decision-making and see how…
