Paraguay was the destination to an Australian diaspora that began 120 years ago. New Australia and Cosme were socialist utopian colonies established in Paraguay in 1893 and 1894 by a group of Australians migrants led by William Lane. Continue reading
Objects Through Time: government
The High Court Mabo Case Decision No. 2 is evidence of the connection between land, identity and continuity of family and community felt by indigenous people in Australia and around the world. Continue reading
Engraved gold cigarette case presented to Major F. E. De Groot, 1932 Inscribed with the caption He is not insane. 21st March 1932. In appreciation W.J.H… Continue reading
The Greg Ritchie Negative Collection is a collection of over 3000 negatives featuring buildings and other sites in the City of Canterbury. Between 1990 and 1998 Canterbury City Council staff documented their day-to-day duties through photographs. Continue reading
This document has historic value because it has direct links with Federation and the drafting of the first Australian Constitution that put in place the law that was the cornerstone of Australia’s ‘White Australia’ policy. Continue reading
The bank note has historical value as evidence of the 1988 Bicentennial celebrations and the recognition of the cultural diversity that had evolved in the Australian community up to that time. Continue reading
The wood staved pipe has historical value as evidence of the development of water supply technologies and the introduction of essential infrastructure to Sydney suburbs. Continue reading
The banner has historical value as a rare fabric banner from convict era Parramatta. Continue reading
The letter from Frenchman Francis Barrallier to Governor King in 1802 during an expedition seeking a route across the Great Dividing Range is historically significant as a rare document describing and interpreting a French view of the pre-1788 Sydney Aboriginal people’s environment and culture. Continue reading
Discover the collection of objects from the German and Austrian refugees who transported to Australia on the SS Dunera and were later interred at Hay internment camp during World War II. Continue reading
Discover the medal presented as a mark of esteem to Charles De Boos, Gold Fields Warden, from Chinese Miners in the Braidwood district in 1881. Continue reading
Discover the British ‘Union Jack’ Flag used at the Westbridge Migrant Hostel, Villawood, New South Wales between 1950 and1960. Continue reading
Discover the Gold Miner’s Licence from the 1850s. Miner’s licences were hated by the diggers and this with other antagonisms with the government and police led to the famous Eureka Rebellion of 1854. Continue reading
Discover the diaries of Federico Bonisoli documenting his internment during World War II. The diaries Include Internment diaries (in Italian dated 1940-1944, letters in English received from his niece Maria Bonisoli and nephew Attilio Bonisoli between 1940-1943, a photograph of Federico Bonisoli, c.1939. and a letter in Italian to Felice Bonisoli from Rev. Professor M.F. Toal, an ex-internee of Loveday Camp dated 13 September 1956. Continue reading
Discover the One nation, One people, One destiny medal created to commemorate the Australian Federation in 1901. Continue reading
The Order-in-Council has historical significance as evidence of the 1840 Order-in-Council and its aftermath represented the turning point when, 50 years after its foundation, New South Wales ceased to be a penal colony. Continue reading
The watercolours have historical significance as rare portraits and objects related to probably the most important figures from the early colonial period who brought civil administration, arts and architecture and a humanising and egalitarian influence that transformed New South Wales from a gaol to a colony. Continue reading
The poster has historic value as evidence of post World War 2 mass migration and the attempt by the Australian government to build the nation’s population with European migrants. Continue reading
Discover the Louis Bleriot airplane, made by Bleriot Aeronautique, Levallois, Paris, France, 1914. It was flown by Maurice Guillaux with the first Australian airmail from Melbourne to Sydney in 1914. Continue reading
Discover the 1787 convict love token made for Thomas Tilley a convict on the First Fleet. Continue reading
Discover the Friendship Stick made by Gavin Flick, Alanna Rose and Jai Rose for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Continue reading
Discover the cast iron bow anchor and cannon from HMS Sirius (1780 – 1790). HMS Sirius escorted the British First Fleet on their historic journey to Botany Bay in 1787- 1788. Continue reading
Discover the NSW Trades Hall Union Banner Collection. Continue reading
Discover the Dunbar Shipwreck Collection, excavated from the immigrant ship Dunbar that was wrecked off the south head to Port Jackson in 1857. Continue reading
The print of Kaiser Wilhelm II is significant for its associations with World War One and the surveillance and internment of members of the German community in the Riverina. Continue reading
Discover the Convict Cap dated 1850, two years before convict transportation ended on the east coast of Australia. Continue reading
Discover the long sleeved woollen convict jacket made of ‘Parramatta cloth’, c.1855. Continue reading
Discover the Grappa making still from Griffith that was used by the local community to distil spirits from discarded grape skins c.1950s. Continue reading
Discover the framed memento made by German prisoners of war at the Berrima internee camp in 1916 for the Australian Military 20th Berrima Guard. Continue reading
Discover the brass button from the work clothes of a convict assigned to the Australian Agricultural Company at Newcastle in the 1830s. Continue reading