Since 1945, more than seven million people have migrated to Australia making it one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Adding those who arrived between 1788, when the first Europeans settled in Australia, and 1945 brings the total to over ten million. Continue reading “Welcome Wall”
Lest my reader be surprised at seeing a lighthouse on the waterfront of the perfectly calm Darling Harbour I should explain that it is an exhibit of the adjacent Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM). Given it size, it perhaps goes without saying that the lighthouse is part of museum’s permanent galleries collection. I actually say this because, being part of this collection it is free to visit the lantern room, though you do have to be on a tour to do so. More on that later. Continue reading “Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse”
In my separate review, Big Boats at the Maritime Museum, I gave brief details on the larger vessels at the Australian National Maritime Museum which I feel are worth boarding and thus buying a BIG ticket at A$30 to do so, especially so if the special exhibition on at the time of your visit is of interest as the BIG ticket gives access to it as well. Continue reading “Little Boats at the Maritime Museum”
The most important decision you will need to make when you visit the Australian National Maritime Museum (particularly if the special exhibition on at the time of your visit holds little or no interest for you) is whether or not you want to board the museum’s small fleet of ships/boats or view them from the boardwalk. Continue reading “Big Boats at the Maritime Museum”
In January 1921 an honour roll listing the names of the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club members who had served and died during World War I was unveiled in the clubhouse. The Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club, based at Bondi Beach was the first surf life saving club in Australia, created in 1907, and is also, without doubt, the most famous in their red and yellow gear. Continue reading “Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club Murals at the ANMM”
The Wharfie’s Mural, part of which is on display in the Australian National Maritime Museum, is a classic example of working class art in Australia.
Socialist realist in style, the mural depicts the lives and struggles of Australian waterside workers as well as major themes in the history of Australian (and indeed international) workers more generally from the mid 1800s to WWII and beyond, all the time exalting the struggle of workers against oppression and extolling the power of unity. Continue reading “The Wharfie’s Mural at the Maritime Museum”
Given Darling Harbour’s maritime history it is very appropriate that Australia’s national maritime museum should be located here.
The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) can be roughly split into three parts – the permanent galleries, special exhibitions and a collection of ships, boats and the like, outside and on the harbour itself. In addition to the exhibits the museum has a souvenir shop and a couple of eating options though there are many more (better) eating options within metres of the museum. Continue reading “Australian National Maritime Museum”
The primary item of interest related to the Museum of Sydney, and you don’t have to pay the exorbitant $10 entry fee (you might want to consider a Museum Pass – see later) to appreciate it, is that it is built over and around the remains of Australia’s first Government House. Continue reading “The Museum Of Sydney”
Don’t be misled by the mural to the right of the entrance of the museum which clearly relates to the Palestinian struggle. While the people of the Bogside and most particularly civil rights activists have associated themselves with left wing, socialist struggles across the world including those in Palestine and Cuba (see picture below – noting that the Lynch relates to Che’s Irish ancestry) this museum is very focused, and bluntly so, on the history of Bogside and its immediate neighbouring areas in the second half of the 20th century with a particular focus on civil rights era of the 1960s and the Free Derry/early Troubles era of the 1970s. Continue reading “The Museum of Free Derry”
In Northern Ireland there currently exist three Protestant Orders having their roots in the Glorious Revolution of 1688-1690 when the Protestant King William III defeated the deposed Catholic James II and secured his and the Protestant ascendancy to the British Throne. While things moved on in Britain, Irish Protestants immediately started celebrating this victory and have been celebrating it ever since. Continue reading “The Apprentice Boys – Memorial Hall and Museum”
The Rambling Wombat 