Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Museum

Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

Locality: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Phone: +61 2 6270 8222

Address: 18 King George Terrace, Parkes 2600 Canberra, ACT, Australia

Website: http://moadoph.gov.au

Likes: 27519

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Arts and entertainment
• History Museum
• Museum

25.01.2022 It's #InternationalDemocracyDay so our #TriviaTuesday theme is...well you guessed it, democracy! Test your knowledge below. Easy: What is the origin of the word 'democracy'? Medium: Which famous politician said ' it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.'? ... Hard: A free press is regarded as highly important to maintaining a healthy democracy. When did the first independent newspaper in Australia begin publication? From our exhibition, Democracy, Are You In? Book your free Museum Pass today to check it out: https://bit.ly/3eTi1ub.

25.01.2022 Happy #WorldTourismDay! To celebrate, why not become a tourist in your own city? Follow the Floriade tulip trail all the way to our building to check out the blooms, grab a cuppa and dabble in some democracy!

24.01.2022 Our little piece of Floriade has arrived! Sad that you can't practise your Canberra spring ritual and head to Floriade? No worries! As part of Floriade Reimagined, we've managed to snatch a little slice of the Tulip Trail action. Drop by to check out the blooms scattered out the front and throughout the House of Reps courtyard. Book your free museum pass now https://bit.ly/3eTi1ub

24.01.2022 Take in a deep breath of fresh spring air and imagine yourself walking amongst these cascading clusters of blue-purple flowers... Not long now until our wisterias will look like this again! This breathtaking image captured in 2018 by Carol Elvin (IG).

24.01.2022 'I believe in parliament, I believe in it very strongly as a place where changes can be made.' - Susan Ryan. We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Susan Ryan, former Labor minister, Australia's first age discrimination commissioner, and champion for gender equality. Ms. Ryan held an additional connection to our building, serving as a member of the Old Parliament House Advisory Council from 2008 to 2014. Ms. Ryan was the first female Labor minister, and the first wo...man to hold the portfolio relating to women's affairs. She was also instrumental in the passing of the landmark Sex Discrimination Act 1984, providing protection against all kinds of gender discrimination. Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this time. Susan Ryan, 1983. Courtesy of National Archives of Australia

23.01.2022 '[I] was often asked whether I was the first woman doing this or that. I always said that I thought that was not important. What was important was that I not be the last woman to have the opportunity...' - Dame Margaret Guilfoyle We are saddened to hear of the passing of Dame Margaret Guilfoyle, a former senior Liberal politician who helped chart a path for female politicians in the 1970s and 80s. Dame Margaret was the first woman minister to administer a government departmen...t, be a member of Cabinet and to hold a major economic portfolio. Her performance in parliament for over 16 years set the standard for other aspiring politicians to follow. Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this time. Margaret Guilfoyle in the Prime Minister's office here in our building. Pictured here with Doug Anthony, Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, Senator Austin Lewis, unknown. 1980. Courtesy National Archives of Australia *Amended

22.01.2022 Ok, so you're probably sick of us making political party-themed jokes, so we'll just get straight to the point...happy #TriviaTuesday! How many party-themed q's can you answer correctly? Easy: Which party promised the electorate that it would keep the bastards honest in 1980? Medium: In our current Parliament there are 36 Coalition senators, 26 from the ALP, and 14 on the crossbenches. Which parties are represented on the crossbench? ... Hard: Which political parties had the longest and shortest periods in government, and what were their respective terms in office? Can't get enough of parties? Pop by and check out our Life of the Party Display (pictured) while you're here. Book your free Museum Pass: https://bit.ly/3eTi1ub.

22.01.2022 #OnThisDay last year 300,000 Australians across the country attended a School Strike for Climate protest, making it the largest environmental protest in Australian history. Led by Australian school students, protestors from all walks of life marched together to demand that the country’s decision-makers take action against climate change. The protests were a part of a greater global climate strike movement, which saw 7.6 million people mobilising across the world.... School Strike 4 Climate protest in Adelaide, 2019. Courtesy of State Library of South Australia

22.01.2022 Thanks for the feature!

22.01.2022 It's #TriviaTuesday and today we have another a-mace-ing quiz to test you... Our Speaker’s Suite is tucked away in one of the corners of our building, but it’s worth finding to get an eyeful of bling...Say hello to our replica Mace! Just like the Mace still used in the House of Reps up the hill, our replica is made of gilded silver pieces, assembled around a centre made of.what? ... Plan to pop by to check out our Mace in person? Make sure to book your free museum pass first, visit: https://bit.ly/3eTi1ub

21.01.2022 It's #TriviaTuesday and we're feeling a little hungry... So, we've got some questions for you inspired by the 1985 Commonwealth Parliament Refreshment Rooms menu! Can you guess what the pollies here were dining on in the '80s? Which of these was not an appetiser available to Senators, Members and their guests?... a) Heart of palm vinaigrette b) Avocado with seafood and green goddess dressing c) Smoked salmon Parliamentarians and guests could order two of these dishes from the grill - which is the odd one out? a) Lamb's fry and bacon with creamy mashed potato and onion gravy b) Filet mignon with mushroom sauce c) Pork chop with apple rings And for dessert, which of these favourites was not on the menu? a) Apple pie with ice cream b) Lemon meringue pie c) Banana fritters Parliament House chef cooking a turkey, date unknown. MoAD Collection

21.01.2022 #DidYouKnow that Australia’s second PM, Alfred Deakin, was a political correspondent who even wrote the odd (anonymous) political editorial during his time as PM? At times, Deakin even criticised himself as prime minister! Deakin became Australia's second prime minister #OnThisDay 117 years ago. Read more about him: https://bit.ly/35U3LRe Alfred Deakin by Alison Alder, MoAD Collection

19.01.2022 It's #AskACuratorDay and MoAD staff are here to answer your q's. Our curators, heritage, research, and collections teams are excited to hear from you! Just drop all of your fantastic, weird, and wonderful q's below and we'll do our best to answer them throughout the day!

19.01.2022 'We have to all speak out and remember the most important tool is our voice.' - Dame Quentin Bryce. #OnThisDay in 2008 Dame Quentin Bryce was sworn in as Australia's 25th Governor-General - the first woman ever to be appointed to the role. Quentin Bryce's Suit, MoAD Collection

19.01.2022 Flashback to blue skies with a hint of clouds... This beautiful snap is courtesy of @BenPearn (IG)

19.01.2022 We know we've been unleashing a lot of doggo content on you recently, but this #TriviaTuesday we couldn't resist hounding you with a couple more (don't worry cat lovers there's one in there for you too!)... 1. What was the name and breed of Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser's dog? 2. Sir John the Sheepdog (pictured), owned by Fred Daly, was named after who and why?... 3. What was the name of the cat who was accidentally bricked up inside, and eventually freed from, a new wall built inside (Old) Parliament House? This week's #TriviaTuesday is inspired by, well you guessed it, our Behind the Lines exhibition themed: '2020, A dog's breakfast'. Haven't checked it out yet? What are you waiting for! Book your (free) General Museum Pass: https://bit.ly/2UTzpaF Sir John the sheepdog with his owner Fred Daly. MoAD Collection

18.01.2022 Coleen Shirley Perry Smith AM MBE, better known as 'Mum Shirl', was a Wiradjuri woman and activist who fought for the welfare of First Nations people. When Mum Shirl's brother went to prison, she visited regularly - when he was released, Mum Shirl kept paying visits to other prisoners. "I'm his mum!" she'd reply when questioned how she knew a particular prisoner... and a (now famous) nickname was born. Mum Shirl was a founding member of many prominent Aboriginal community se...rvices, including the Aboriginal Legal Service, the Aboriginal Children’s Service, and the Aboriginal Housing Company in Redfern - all while raising a total of 60 foster children in her home! Learn more: http://ia.anu.edu.au/b/smith-shirley-coleen-mum-shirl-17817 Mum Shirl (Coleen Shirley Perry Smith AM MBE), Town Hall, Sydney, 1988. Courtesy of National Library of Australia

18.01.2022 'During my seven years as Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy, almost two million visitors have come through our doors today, on International #DemocracyDay, I’m reflecting on what I’ve learnt from them.' New on the blog - our Director, Daryl Karp on 3 things she's learnt about democracy...

18.01.2022 #AskACuratorDay Meet Rose Q: What's her role at MoAD? She's not a curator, but she's one of our Volunteer & Museum Experience Supervisors. Her role is to ensure the smooth running of MoAD so that each visitor has a fun, welcoming, and interesting visit. ... Rose and other MoAD staff members from various areas will be answering your questions for #AskACuratorDay, because not everyone who makes the MoAD museum experience come to life is a curator. Check out Rose's Q&A below!

18.01.2022 Happy 100th birthday to Qantas, founded this week in 1920! You may have seen your friends posing in their Qantas pyjamas on Instagram for clout, but the Qantas bag was the original sought-after souvenir. In the '60s and '70s, air travel became increasingly popular due to the introduction of new destinations and reduced ticket prices. Airline souvenirs, such as this Qantas bag from our collection, in-flight menus, and postcards, became a way of commemorating trips national...ly and abroad. Thanks to Powerhouse Museum for their fantastic info on this. Qantas souvenir luggage used for one of our room recreations, 1950-1960. MoAD Collection.

18.01.2022 This may look like a gorgeous Renaissance painting, but it's actually a photo of our rose gardens captured by one of our visitors! _CapitalGirl (IG)

17.01.2022 Our exhibition, Truth, Power, and a Free Press traces the evolution of the media, examining how the means of production has shaped the way the news is told. The exhibition will challenge you on how easily you can identify fact from fiction... believe us, it's not as easy as it sounds. Are you up for the challenge? Make sure to book your free museum pass first: https://bit.ly/3eTi1ub.

17.01.2022 Heritage enthusiasts, you have just two more weeks to give us your feedback on our replacement Heritage Management Plan (HMP)! Need a refresher? HMPs are designed to help plan for, manage, and protect heritage sites, just like our beautiful building. We need to have a diverse range of public voices contributing to our HMP to hold us accountable and make sure we don't miss anything important. To view the draft plan and have your say, head to our website: https://bit.ly/3k3BA...mF Comments close on Wednesday 7 October 2020. Conservator treating the Coat of Arms on Old Parliament House. 2014, International Conversation Services

17.01.2022 Any heritage enthusiasts out there who can check our homework for us? We've been working to draft a replacement for our Heritage Management Plan (HMP), and now we're after YOUR opinion! HMPs are designed to help plan for, manage, and protect heritage sites, just like our beautiful building. We need to have a diverse range of public voices contributing to our HMP to hold us accountable and make sure we don't miss anything important.... We're keen on contributions from everyone, particularly if you have a special interest in Old Parliament House. To view the draft plan and have your say, head to our website: https://bit.ly/3k3BAmF Comments close on Wednesday 7 October 2020. Treatment of a chamber brass handle. 2017, MoAD Collection.

16.01.2022 After nearly 20 years as leader of the Country Party, Earle Page resigned #OnThisDay 81 years ago. Page refused to form a coalition with Robert Menzies; instead, he canvassed support for Stanley Bruce to return as prime minister. After Menzies was elected leader in April 1939, Page launched a bitter attack against him. Unable to work with Menzies, Page resigned soon after. More info on Page: https://primeministers.moadoph.gov.au/prime-mini/earle-page... Earle Page in front of (Old) Parliament House, 1927. Courtesy of National Archives of Australia

15.01.2022 'We cannot imagine that the descendants of people whose genius and resilience maintained a culture here through fifty thousand years or more...will be denied their place in the modern Australian nation.' - Paul Keating Paul Keating's ‘Redfern speech’ is widely accepted as the first time an Australian political leader publicly acknowledged the impact of colonial and contemporary government policies on First Nations Peoples. Keating delivered the speech this week in 1992 as pa...rt of Australia’s launch for International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples celebrations (1993). Watch the full Redfern speech on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1S4F1euzTw Former PM Paul Keating giving his address in 1992. Courtesy of City of Sydney archives.

15.01.2022 For #AskACuratorDay we opened up the floor to questions for our curators, heritage, research, and collections teams. We thought we would share one of our fave q's with you... Question: What do you think is the weirdest item in the MoAD collection? Campbell (MoAD Research & Collection Development Co-ordinator): We have these weird wooden chairs that apparently were gifted to the Senate in the 1920s. They have grotesque, gargoyle-like faces all over them & looking at them giv...es me the creeps! Have q's for the team you didn't get a chance to ask? No stress, pop them below and we'll answer them.

13.01.2022 Today we're playing fantasy Australian federal Cabinet and we want you to pick your dream team (existing pollies or not, real positions or not)! Comment your dream team below Need a quick refresher on cabinets and their positions? Check out the infographics above. Info source: Thanks to our friends at Parliament House, Canberra.

13.01.2022 I guess we've finally found the pot of gold at the end of the (double!) rainbow... We can confirm that there are in fact, no leprechauns in the building. This stunning snap was captured by @wengsean (IG) Visit Canberra

13.01.2022 'I accepted nomination because I saw what a splendid educational value the campaign would have people would come to my meetings out of curiosity to see the wild woman who sought to enter parliament' - Vida Goldstein. #OnThisDay in 1903, activist, feminist, and suffragist Vida Goldstein became one of the first women to stand for federal parliament in the British Empire. Unsuccessful but determined, Goldstein stood for parliament again in 1910, 1913, 1914, and 1917. Goldstein... spent her life passionately advocating her beliefs and fighting for women's rights, property rights, food safety, and minimum wages. More: https://bit.ly/3pUFOAX Portrait of Vida Goldstein, 190? Courtesy of National Library of Australia

12.01.2022 #OnThisDay 50 years ago, 70 Melbourne university students marched along Waterdale Road. What initially began as a small march protesting the Vietnam War soon escalated, leading to a violent intervention from the police. Read about Barry's experience on the blog below.

12.01.2022 School holidays are about to begin so it's time to soak up some sunshine and join in the fun at Open Air PlayUP! We're so excited to welcome you and your little people back to MoAD for craft activities, giant lawn games, and storytime. Bookings are essential (and free!), with limited spots remaining. Make sure to book your tickets now, visit: https://bit.ly/300c762... Can't make it in for a visit? There's plenty of PlayUP fun online! Check out our craft videos and family guides filled with activities, head to:https://bit.ly/2RNXI8D

11.01.2022 Did you know that #OnThisDay in 1970, US comedian and civil rights activist Richard 'Dick' Gregory was refused entry to Australia because of his work as an anti-War in Vietnam campaigner? Gregory was billed to perform shows around Australia when the Vietnam Moratorium Committee booked him to speak at a rally in Melbourne. The Committee was a diverse group made up of students, unionists, politicians, academics, churchgoers, and more. They campaigned for the withdrawal of all t...roops from Vietnam and called for the repeal of the National Service Act on conscription. When Gregory applied for a two-week visa for 'sightseeing', the Australian Immigration Office in London denied his request, deeming Gregory's stated purpose as untruthful in light of his political activities. When questioned about the incident, then-Prime Minister John Gorton asked 'why the Government should allow aliens to come to Australia for the purpose of interfering with political matters'. #ForgottenAustralianHistory Dick Gregory trying for an Australian visa in London and refused. Courtesy of Alamy Stock Photo, 1970.

11.01.2022 Have you ever found yourself wondering 'why should I care about political parties'? Well, our Research & Collection Development Coordinator, Campbell is here to give you a reason or two in the second instalment of our political party blog series. Head over to our blog to check it out: https://bit.ly/3nS91ug

10.01.2022 REOPENING UPDATE: Mick here (and the whole MoAD team) have been working hard behind the scenes to re-open more of our spaces for you in a safe and responsible way! From 9am, Monday 20 July, you'll be able to visit for up to three hours and experience even more of MoAD! Bookings are still essential so make sure you grab your free Museum Pass now to avoid missing out: https://bit.ly/3gX1YwU *Please note that PlayUP and Dress Up will remain closed for the time being.

10.01.2022 The 1970s truly was a decade of excess and over-the-top interiors. Just check out our '70s reception chairs in pops of pink, orange, and blue! These bold beauties were crafted by Decro Pty Ltd in Melbourne from black bean wood with a selected wool fabric cover. They were created to furnish the extension of our building during the early '70s. When not in use in the museum, these chairs live in our object storage where we control and monitor the environmental conditions. O...ur object storage ensures the long-term preservation of our collection, making sure these items can be enjoyed for years to come. We have a few chairs on display throughout the museum, just pop by our President of the Senate’s suite and the Prime Minister’s suite to catch a glimpse: https://bit.ly/2J4LlEc 1970s reception chairs. MoAD Collection

10.01.2022 #OnThisDay in 1914, moustache connoisseur Andrew Fisher became Prime Minister... for the third time! Fisher previously served as PM from 1908-1909 and 1910-1913. Due to his knack for winning elections, Fisher could be considered one of Australia's most successful Labor politicians Want to know more about Fisher? Head to: https://primeministers.moadoph.gov.au/prime-m/andrew-fisher... Andrew Fisher, 1899. Courtesy of John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland

09.01.2022 #DidYouKnow that Australia settled down into a 'two-party' political system in 1910? So, what does this mean? What is a political party and why do we have them anyway? All these questions and more answered in part 1 of our new blog series on, well you guessed it parties! Read more on the blog, below.

09.01.2022 Can't make it to our Behind the Lines 2020 launch event today? No stress! We'll be live-streaming the whole thing for free, starting at 11am. Just head to the link below.

09.01.2022 Meet John Campbell. He started his career in this building as a Hansard reporter and we're lucky enough to count him as one of our 'vols' 60 years later! From a run-in with Gough Whitlam to recalling the last sitting of parliament in OPH, John has plenty of stories to share. Learn more over on the blog: https://bit.ly/34YZpYp John in 1988 in the House of Reps & John in 2012 as a volunteer guide

08.01.2022 We are excited to be participating in #AskaCurator day! Have a burning question you've always wanted to ask a MoAD staff member? Our curators, heritage, research, and collections teams are keen to hear from you! DM us your questions & stay tuned for our team to answer it on Wed 16 Sept!

08.01.2022 There's just something special about receiving a heartfelt, hand-typed letter, don't you think? Drop in and visit our Yours Faithfully exhibition where you can create a letter on one of our vintage typewriters. You might even be able to cross 'Father's day gift' off of your list! Book your free Museum Pass today: https://bit.ly/3eTi1ub.

08.01.2022 'I urge all my parliamentary colleagues to become champions for the recognition of Australia’s First Nations people in our constitution. To Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, this has always been part of our story of struggle, injustice, and heartache. But we are here todayand I am here todaybecause of this history.' Nova Peris. #OnThisDay in 2013, Gija/Yawuru/Muran woman and former olympian Nova Peris became the first Indigenous woman to be elected to Federal P...arliament as a senator for the Northern Territory. Nova Peris OAM was featured in our previous exhibition 'Breaking Through" a celebration of 75 years of women in parliament. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3bz7DIj Portrait of Nova Peris by Sarah Donovan, created for MoAD's 'Breaking Through' exhibition.

07.01.2022 Monday was National Threatened Species Day, which aims to raise awareness of plants and animals at risk of extinction. To acknowledge the day, Tyler and Siobhan are crafting animal masks in On Air PlayUP... To craft along with them, you'll need: -String... -Paper or cardboard -Crayons or coloured pencils -Glue or sticky tape -Scissors -Feathers, paper straw, or pom poms to decorate. Don't forget to check out our family guide for plenty more activities to keep you busy: https://bit.ly/31MUSFi Threatened Species Commissioner #ThreatenedSpeciesDay

06.01.2022 Just to clarify, 'A dog's breakfast' is the theme of this year's Behind the Lines political cartooning exhibition, but it's more about the turmoil of 2020 and NOT about any actual brekky for puppers...sorry Onno Dog (hope you enjoyed the rose gardens, though!) Any humans interested in the best #AusPol cartoons from 2020, feel free to pop by for a peek: https://bit.ly/3pJVxm2 @OnnoDog (IG)

06.01.2022 Blooms, beverages, and banter! Floriade Reimagined is launching this weekend and, if you haven't already heard, we're taking part in the Tulip Trail. So, gather some friends and drop by to have a beverage amongst the blooms. Remember to book your free museum pass first: https://bit.ly/3eTi1ub.

06.01.2022 'Roses are red, violets are blue, I love you democracy, so do what you do.' The 'Dear Democracy' wall in our Yours Faithfully exhibition has inspired a bunch of thoughtful, funny, and catchy messages from people sharing their feelings about democracy... this is one of our recent faves Got some feelings of your own about democracy? Drop by and put some ink on paper, or pop your thoughts in the comments below. What better way to celebrate #InternationalDemocracyDay?... Yours Faithfully exhibition - Open now.

05.01.2022 Teachers: Want to win a $50 gift voucher? Our Learning team is conducting a survey to assess how teachers and students are engaging digitally since the impact of COVID-19. You'll directly influence the type of digital services to help your classroom teaching, all you need to do is answer this survey. It's a win-win! ... Have your say: https://bit.ly/3m5jVMK MoAD Learning digital excursion

05.01.2022 Happy birthday to Kevin Rudd! Australia's 26th Prime Minister was born #OnThisDay in 1957 in Queensland. Rudd served as PM twice: from December 2007- June 2010 and June-September 2013. Rudd wore these black leather RM Williams riding boots in 2008 when he made the Apology to the Stolen Generations for the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families. Rudd has since cited the Apology as one of his proudest achievements as PM.... Learn more about Kevin Rudd: https://bit.ly/3iJUr61 Kevin Rudd's boots, MoAD Collection. Kevin Rudd at Parliament house in 2007. Courtesy of National Library of Australia

04.01.2022 Aboriginal Australian political activist, artist, and writer, Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker), made history when she met with then-PM Robert Menzies #OnThisDay in 1963, campaigning for the 'yes' vote during the 1967 Referendum. During her meeting, the prime minister offered Oodgeroo a glass of sherry, which she declined. She then embraced the opportunity to highlight Australia's discriminatory laws by pointing out that his action was illegal under laws in place in every state. Some believe that this made Menzies rethink some of his policies relating to Indigenous Australians. 1988, R. McFarlane Courtesy of National Library of Australia via Trove

04.01.2022 Hey, fans of #TheCrown! Does this look familiar? That's right, it's a replica of the crown jewels donned by Queen Elizabeth II. Want to catch a glimpse of the glamour? We have a selection of the replica crown jewels on display at the far end of our President of the Senate's Suite...

04.01.2022 Tony Abbott became Australia's 28th prime minister #OnThisDay in 2013, holding office for just under two years. For many in the Liberal and National parties, Abbott was a torch bearer for conservative values. Read more about Tony Abbott, https://primeministers.moadoph.gov.au/prime-min/tony-abbott Tony Abbott at the 2015 Paniyiri festival. Courtesy of John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland ... Tony Abbott's bicycle, donated to MoAD. MoAD Collection, 2015.

03.01.2022 Waving (almost) goodbye to the working week and hello to a new season of 'The Crown'. Diana, Princess of Wales being escorted by Hazel Hawke on the steps at Old Parliament House,1988. Jayne Fincher/Getty Images.

02.01.2022 Don't have time or the energy to clean your house this weekend? Don't stress. Our Content Development Manager, Kate, knows that a lived-in mess makes for the perfect era-appropriate room recreation. Just look at how realistic our backbenchers’ office looks! Image courtesy of @LiAnnScott (IG)