My fellow humans and I were lucky enough to be able to wander around the archives building after hours and then take part in two tours of different parts of the collection. I really enjoyed the visit and wish we had had more time to explore - I will definitely be going back again soon if I can.
I found it hard to choose two out of three tours available because they all sounded fascinating - but first up I decided to go on the Memory of Nation tour (so that my Whitlam and constitution obsessed partner did not disown me, though I think he still may given what I got to see!).
I am sure I saw a version of this exhibition earlier on during my stay in Canberra, but it has been re-vamped and become a really impressive collection. I really liked that there has been a real effort made to provide a diverse selection of treasures reflecting moments of Australian history we can all be proud of and others that we should not forget and will hopefully learn from so we don't repeat.
Below are just some of the things I got to see - there are many others including Harold Holt's briefcase, ASIO surveillance footage...who knows if you go you might even be able to find a photo of yourself in the wall of pictures like I understand one Canberran did recently!
But perhaps even more exciting was that we were privileged to be allowed briefly in to the Federation Gallery - this sure felt like an honour, and not just because of the big door with the 'I am very special' lights...
In this room, Australian history/politics/legal nerds risk passing out in excitement as on display are: the original Constitution Act passed by the British Parliament (which the UK was eventually kind enough to return to us), the Royal Commission of Assent signed by Queen Vic herself, Queen Victoria's proclamation which set the date for 'Go Live' as I would call it in systems world for the Commonwealth of Australia, the Letters Patent signed by Queen Vic that established the office of the GG, and documents that recorded subsequent constitutional changes as well.
In short - very special and very delicate documents that will one day fade away despite efforts to keep them preserved. As a result, this room is generally only opened for short periods for group visits but I believe it is now open on special days for public viewing - so worth keeping an eye out for.
And while you are there - make sure you check out the current exhibition on migrant hostels called A Place to Call Home? Migrant Hostel Memories. While this isn't a particularly large exhibition, I found it really fascinating and I thought it was very well put together.
OK so I was probably inherently interested anyway - as my mum and her family stayed very briefly at Bonegilla and then moved to a further hostel in Western Sydney in the early 1950s. I was also lucky enough to be able to hear the lovely curator of this exhibition explain its content and her 'vision' to us. But I would still recommend it. I think the mixture of 'official images' of migration with personal stories is well thought out. I just wish I got to see more of the 22,000 images that were examined for inclusion in this exhibition. I can't wait for the bigger exhibition on migration more generally that is apparently on its way later in the year.
Also there are certainly some more lighthearted and amusing photos in the collection - including photos of kids dressing up at Bonegilla. Not my mum though :p
And I just loved the Bonegilla cook book! I could almost feel my grandmother's disgust at the food available come over me (may she rest in peace with hopefully buckets of her brilliant Russian potato salad)...how powerful food memories can be...
This exhibition also reminded me of just how thankful I am that my mum's family found a safe (although very different and no doubt at first isolating) home here in Australia. Eventually allowing me to call Sydney and now most definitely Canberra - home :)
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