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.

xClose
Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
  • About
  • Blog
  • Prime Ministers
  • Websites
  • Venue hire
  • Visiting
  • What's On
  • Collection
  • Learning
  • Democracy
Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
  • Visiting
    • Planning your visit
    • Families at MoAD
    • Access
    • Group bookings
    • Cafe
    • MoAD Shop
    • UNSW Canberra Howard Library
  • What’s On
    • Exhibitions
    • Events
  • Collection
    • The Building
    • Objects and rooms
    • Oral Histories
  • Learning
    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Parents
  • Democracy
    • Defining democracy
    • Australian democracy: an overview
    • The democratic audit of Australia
    • One thing I like about democracy
    • Links
    • Quotes
    • Notes
    • About
    • Blog
    • Prime Ministers
    • Websites
    • Venue hire
    From the blog

    Replacing like with like—a handblown lightshade for the Member’s Dining Room

    2 minute read

    Fri 19 Jul 2013 by
    Noel Lane
    • building
    • collection
    • heritage

    We recently had the opportunity to travel to Aldgate in the Adelaide Hills to document master glassblower Tim Shaw creating a new lightshade which is to play a part in the Members’ Dining Room refresh project.

    One of the original 1927 glass lightshades is broken. Faced with this challenge it was clear that we needed to respect the historical use of this space and decide on the best strategy to preserve the integrity of the original lighting installation. This was a place where politicians and invited guests came to eat, drink and relax from the rigours of parliamentary duties. Other factors to take into account were the contemporary use for this space—high-end functions—and of course, safety.

    When the original lightshades were made, hand blowing such items was commonplace; unlike today’s mass produced lightshades that adorn most contemporary dining spaces. From the remaining pieces of the damaged lightshade, Tim skilfully determined the composition of the glass, its colour and texture. He made drawings of the lightshade from which he constructed a metal mould.

    We have made as new by replacing like with like. However, it is more than just the physical object that is being replaced. The vision of the Commonwealth Architect, John Smith Murdoch, of soft, ambient light is being kept alive. It is as if the spirit of the glassblowers of yesteryear, imbued with remarkable technical skill, perseverance and energy, continue to illuminate the Members’ Dining Room.

    2 minute read

    Fri 19 Jul 2013 by
    Noel Lane
    • building
    • collection
    • heritage
    The new lightshade installed in the Members’ Dining Room

    The new lightshade installed in the Members’ Dining Room

    Noel is part of the Heritage team at the Museum. He enjoys caring for the Museum’s largest object – the Old Parliament House building itself. Before joining the museum he worked in the Conservation Sections at the National Museum of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia.

    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

    Enquiries:
    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

    Visiting

    • Planning your visit
    • Families at MoAD
    • Access
    • Group bookings
    • Cafe
    • MoAD Shop
    • UNSW Canberra Howard Library

    What's On

    • Events
    • Exhibitions

    Collection

    • The building
    • Objects and rooms
    • Highlights
    • Oral histories

    Learning

    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Parents

    Democracy

    • Exploring democracy
    • Documenting a democracy
    • Australian democracy
    • Defining democracy

    About

    • Disability Action Inclusion Plan
    • Our prime minister patrons
    • OPH Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Budget
    • Corporate documents
    • Employment
    • Freedom of information
    • Public Interest Disclosure
    • Media
    • Newsletter
    • Support us
    • Partnerships
    • Democracy 2025
    • Donate to our collection
    • eCommerce terms and conditions
    • Online house rules

    Blog

    Prime Ministers

    Websites

    Further information

    View our recruitment opportunities.

    View our copyright policy.

    View our privacy statement.

    View our ticketing terms and conditions.

    Questions about the website:
    website@moadoph.gov.au

    The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is a Corporate Commonwealth Entity within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet