Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

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Tiny Things, Big Stories

Tiny Things, Big Stories

We are well known for our largest object, Old Parliament House, but have you ever wondered about our smallest?

Location

Kings Hall

Indulge your curiosity and discover how these tiny treasures from MoAD’s collection tell compelling stories of our democratic history.

Commonwealth of England sixpence 1653

Commonwealth of England sixpence 1653

Photograph of a commonwealth sixpence

President of the Senate’s signet ring about 1905

President of the Senate’s signet ring about 1905

Photograph of a signet ring

Court dress cufflinks and vesta case 1911

Court dress cufflinks and vesta case 1911

Photograph of two golden cufflinks

Commonwealth Match Works vesta case about 1911–25

Commonwealth Match Works vesta case about 1911–25

Photograph of vestas and a vesta box (Short matches and a matchbox)

Souvenir elephant after 1927

Souvenir elephant after 1927

Photograph of a souvenir elephant with a painting of Provisional Parliament house on its back.

Michael Darby's campaign matchbook

Michael Darby's campaign matchbook

Photograph of a match box

Non-Members’ Bar life membership tags 1988

Non-Members’ Bar life membership tags 1988

Photograph of a metal tag with an enamel illustration of Provisional Parliament House and the label "Non members bar"

Julian Assange supporters’ badge 2010

Julian Assange supporters’ badge 2010

Photograph of a badge with an illustration of Julian Assange and the label "Free Assange"

WSPU hunger strike medal 1912

WSPU hunger strike medal 1912

Photograph of a medal with the label Charlotte Blacklock

Leather wallet and tickets 1927

Leather wallet and tickets 1927

Photograph of a wallet and some tickets

Souvenir spoon with commemorative florin after 1927

Souvenir spoon with commemorative florin after 1927

Photograph of a souvenir spoon

Plaque presented to Dorothy Tangney 1943

Plaque presented to Dorothy Tangney 1943

Photograph of a commemorative plaque siginifying Dorothy Tangney's election to the senate.

Neville Bonner’s stamp 1971–83

Neville Bonner’s stamp 1971–83

Photograph of a stamp.

‘Cathy’s Bling’ earrings 2013

‘Cathy’s Bling’ earrings 2013

Photograph of two small, square orange earrings.

Fire damage to Old Parliament House 2022

Fire damage to Old Parliament House 2022

Photograph of a fire damaged ceiling in Old Parliament House

Plan your visit

Large groups of people can meet in this area, and it can be loud and busy at times.

There are seats to sit and rest.