TheRamblingWombat Canberra

National Archives – Certainly Surprised Me

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The National Archives of Australia is responsible for keeping federal government records – the Government and Public (Civil) Service filing system if you like. My initial thoughts were what could possibly be of any interest to a visitor among the 40 million odd records created by bureaucrats/armed forces and politicians and held by the National Archives? Then I thought – in 40 million records there must be something of interest and indeed there is – this place holds records ranging from those covering dramatic events that shaped the nation to decisions that impacted the lives of individual Australians. Continue reading “National Archives – Certainly Surprised Me” →

TheRamblingWombat Canberra

Curtin and Chifley – On Their Way to Work

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This sculpture, commissioned in 2011 and located behind Old Parliament House, about 200 metres from the National Archives building in Parkes, recreates – at the same location and with an amazing likeness – a 1945 photo (below) of John Curtin, Australia’s fourteenth Prime Minister (1941-45), and Treasurer Joseph Benedict (Ben) Chifley, who shortly thereafter became Australia’s sixteenth Prime Minister (1945-49). Curtin actually died in office in 1945 and was replaced by Francis Forde who held office for eight days (Australia’s shortest serving Prime Minister) before handing over to the new Labor leader, Chifley.

Continue reading “Curtin and Chifley – On Their Way to Work” →

TheRamblingWombat Canberra

Old Parliament House – Museum of Australian Democracy

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Unfortunately this magnificent attraction underwent something of an identity crisis and for whatever reason has re-badged itself as the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House with an emphasis on the museum part. This identity crisis, I believe, stems from the move of the National Portrait section to its new permanent home at the newly built National Portrait Gallery in 2008. Continue reading “Old Parliament House – Museum of Australian Democracy” →

TheRamblingWombat Canberra

National Library of Australia – Real Treasure Here

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Libraries are not typically on my list of must dos when I visit somewhere but this one, Australia’s largest with approximately 10 million items comprising books, journals, newspapers, archives, manuscripts, pictures, photographs, musical scores, maps, websites and oral history and folklore recordings in its collection, is different somehow. Continue reading “National Library of Australia – Real Treasure Here” →