This is a touring version of one of Old Parliament House’s most popular exhibitions.
The exhibition introduces visitors to the 26 remarkable women who have filled the role of prime minister’s wife from 1901 to 2010 and includes previously-unseen images from the private collections of former prime ministers’ wives.
It reveals the person ‘behind the title’, examining the unique contribution, style and structure each brought to the position, and explores the realities of being the partner of one of the nation’s most powerful men—including the difficulties of trying to balance public and private life, the glamour, the hardships, the passions, the constant travel, and of course, the politics.
Image credit
Harold and Zara having coffee at Portsea, Victoria, 1966. This was their favourite photograph of them together. National Archives: M4294