The Museum of Australian Democracy acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.

The museum respectfully acknowledges the role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to play in shaping Australia’s democracy.

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Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
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    From the blog

    Archaeology on the walls

    2 minute read

    Mon 4 Nov 2013 by
    Edwina Jans
    • building
    • redevelopment

    The building render restoration and repainting project on the South-East Wing has revealed evidence of a long lost, but not mourned, part of the building.

    We can see evidence of a much large opening having once existed where now there is a window. Is this the location of where a doorway once provided access to the ‘annex’? 

    The annex is no longer there and all evidence of the doorway has been removed, plastered and painted over both internally and externally. The annex was a temporary, prefabricated building accessed via a bridge from the main floor of the South-East Wing. Added in 1985, it provided additional offices for members, and their staff, who had entered the House of Representatives in at the December 1984 elections.  The Representation Act 1983 legislated for an additional 12 Senators and 23 Members the House of Representatives. The number of Members increased from 125 to 148.  Accommodation was already tight so a fast, temporary, but comfortable solution needed to be found. It was intended to be able to be removed, once Parliament had moved to the new House in 1988. It was finally removed in 1999. Rumor has it that it is still being used as office accommodation.  If you know where, please let us know.

    You can read more about the render restoration and repainting project here and here.

    2 minute read

    Mon 4 Nov 2013 by
    Edwina Jans
    • building
    • redevelopment
    Constructing the prefabricated modular extension. The Canberra Times, 1985. Fairfax Syndication

    Constructing the prefabricated modular extension. The Canberra Times, 1985. Fairfax Syndication

    • 02 blog post 52770b0768a85
    • 03 blog post 52770c5b2e6a0

    Edwina Jans is a cultural heritage professional by day and a feltmaker and textile artist by night.  In her 17 year career, she worked within heritage sites and with cultural collections as an interpreter, educator, curator and collections manager.  Currently she is the Manager, Heritage and Collections.

    Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

    18 King George Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600, Australia

    PO Box 3934
    Manuka ACT 2603

    9am to 5pm daily 
    Closed Christmas Day

    ABN: 30 620 774 963

    Telephone: 02 6270 8222

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    info@moadoph.gov.au

    Please note: video surveillance is used 24 hours a day around and throughout the building and may be used for research purposes

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