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

    Season’s greetings from the Museum of Australian Democracy

    4 minute read

    Thu 19 Dec 2013 by
    Daryl Karp
    • general

    It’s been an action packed year of exhibitions and activities for the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

    There’s always something new to see or do

    From the annual Behind the Lines ‘best-of’ political cartoons, to the pop up exhibitions Crown, Sword and Sceptre – The Replica Crown Jewels and the 1901 election papers, from room interpretations that bring our heritage and history to life, to the series of exhibitions positioning the artist as activist: Insurgence, 2013 has been marked by activity and energy. New caterers, new government, new chairperson, new partnerships, new activities and a new strategic plan have enabled us to position our much loved destination as a place to connect with family and friends

    Something for everyone

    Without doubt the highlight of the year was the Election Festival - with over 6,000 visitors choosing to visit museum to be part of history in the making by voting in Kings Hall. But there’s also been comedy and satire, live broadcasts from the House of Reps chamber, dialogue and debate, family programming, the wonderful Hansard Monologues, new websites, fabulous learning programs and kid’s activities, the reintroduction of Friday night drinks, and of course regularly changing temporary exhibitions that encourage reflection, engagement and conversation.

    So how’s it going? Our visitor numbers are up, significantly. We’ve increased online traffic and are continuing to engage with our Facebook and Twitter followers. We are near capacity in our schools visitation and have had substantial growth in touring attendance and have extremely high levels of visitor satisfaction. The House is alive and buzzing.

    What’s on now

    And over the Christmas period, we have more on offer - in the downstairs gallery you can reflect on the madness of 2013 through the eyes of our best political cartoonists with our Behind the Lines 2013 exhibition. And upstairs in the In Focus Gallery is a provocative exhibition Insurgence from the ProppaNOW collective exploring the art as a vehicle for protest. We have choirs performing in Kings Hall, great coffee on the front terrace of the building, regular tours of the building and special school holiday programs. There truly has never been a better time to visit Old Parliament House and the Museum of Australian Democracy.

    Thanks

    And finally, I’d like to thank the Advisory Council, the wonderful staff and volunteers and most of all, our visitors who share in the experience that is Old Parliament House. We look forward to exciting, inspiring and entertaining you in 2014. I wish you all a good festive season and a safe and happy 2014.

    If you want to find out more about what’s on join our newsletter

    4 minute read

    Thu 19 Dec 2013 by
    Daryl Karp
    • general
    Christmas giving tree in King’s Hall, old Parliament House.

    Christmas giving tree in King’s Hall, old Parliament House.

    Daryl Karp AM is the Director of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Her previous positions include CEO and Managing Director, Film Australia, Head of Factual Programs (Television), Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and Non-Executive Director, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). Daryl has been the Chair of the Council of Australian Museum Directors since 2017. She is the current Chair of the Canberra Writers Festival Board. Daryl has a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film) from Tel Aviv University, is a graduate of Wharton Business School's Advanced Management Program and is a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors (FAICD). She was the ACT winner in the Public Sector and Academia Award category at the 2017 Telstra Business Women’s Awards. She was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in June 2019 for significant service to the arts, particularly to the museum and galleries sector.

    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

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