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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Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
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    From the blog

    Secret squirrel stationery

    3 minute read

    Fri 10 May 2013 by
    Beck Moloney
    • building
    • collection
    • heritage

    I’ve been working at the museum for over 18 months now and, though I’ve become accustomed to the building’s rabbit warren-like layout and (sometimes) pokey rooms, one place that has continued to pique my interest is the room where we keep our office stationery.

    Each time I go on the hunt for some post-it notes or a new pen, I can’t help but feel a little like a spy… On the lower level of the building within the North Wing is an unassuming timber door; behind that door is an inset heavy steel door which leads to a narrow room with shelves reaching all the way to a high ceiling.

    Inside the room it’s very silent and still—I get the feeling that if I were accidently locked in, no one would hear my cries for help! Fortunately there’s a glowing red panic button on the wall (which I’m yet to test).

    After some investigation it seems that our stationery cupboard was originally part of a strong room—a fireproof room designed for the safe keeping of money and valuables. In 1950 it was converted and used as the Library safe. Then, in 1973 it was used by the Bills and Papers Office for storing votes and proceedings.

    This room is just one example of the many structural changes made to the building during its time as Provisional Parliament House. By the 1980s the building housed a library, post office, barber, carpentry workshop, bars and a dining room to service the thousands of politicians, parliamentary staff, Hansard reporters, journalists, and dining room and bar staff.

    If architecture is kind-of-your-thing or you’re interested in finding out how the building has changed over time, we’ve got an entire section on our website devoted to telling the story of the building. Or, better yet, come to the museum and experience it firsthand.

    A small caveat: now we’re not saying we don’t trust you, but for obvious reasons our office stationery ‘safe’ isn’t publicly accessibly. However, there are plenty of other interesting rooms for you to explore at the museum. See our collection online for more information.

    3 minute read

    Fri 10 May 2013 by
    Beck Moloney
    • building
    • collection
    • heritage
    The door behind a door, very sneaky

    The door behind a door, very sneaky

    • Switch 518c5871be9ca
    • Inside door 518c588ccbb64
    • Shelves 518c58a8c7dda

    Beck is a part of the web team at the museum. She is responsible for maintaining the museum’s websites and intranet, social media and the production of new websites. Before joining the museum in 2011 she worked at the National Museum of Australia in multimedia production.

    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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