This is a touring version of one of Old Parliament House’s most popular exhibitions. From 20 May – 19 July 2009 the exhibition will be at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum: home of the Somerville collection, 224 Howick St, Bathurst, New South Wales (next to post office).
The exhibition introduces visitors to the 25 remarkable women who have filled the role of prime minister’s wife from 1901 to 2007 and includes previously-unseen images from the private collections of former prime ministers’ wives.
It reveals the ‘woman behind the title’, examining the unique contribution, style and structure each brought to the position, and explores the realities of being married to 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, and of course, the politics.