Historical Museum Archives - Destination's Journey

19 March 202411 March 2024

Old Parliament House Canberra

Only intended as a temporary home for the Australian Parliament, Old Parliament House in Canberra actually operated as the seat of government from 1928 until 1988. At this time the government move to the new Parliament House on Capital Hill.

It now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy as well as other temporary exhibitions.

Getting There

Car parking is available on King George Terrace as well as in its own car park.

History

Once the independent Australian colonies joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia, the Australian Capital Territory was established for the development of the new Capital Canberra. With Federation occurring in 1901, it took until 1928 for the Provisional Parliament House to be built. Until this time, Parliament met in Melbourne.

Outside the building are statues of two women: Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons. Dorothy Tagney was the first female Australian senator, while Enid Lyons was the first female in the House of Representatives. Both were elected in 1943.

At the front of the building is a large statue of King George V, the reigning monarch when Australia achieved independence. Another statue of the King is located in the main entrance hall.

The first women of Federal Parliament Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons

King George V Memorial — The first women of Federal Parliament Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons

The House of Representatives

To reflect the inheritance of the Westminster System, the House of Representatives is predominantly green, with the carpet and chairs this colour. The Speaker Seat is a copy of the one in The House of Commons presented to Australia by Empire Parliamentary Association in 1926. Interestingly, the original seat in London was destroyed in an air raid during the Second World War. The one used now is a copy of the Australian copy, gifted to the House of Commons by the Australian Parliament.

Visitors are free to walk around the chamber and view the area as the politicians used to.

Entrance to the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives Old Parliament House Canberra — Entrance to the House of Representatives

Prime Ministers Office

Considering the importance of the office, it is remarkably small with small desk and meeting area.

Government Party Room Old Parliament House Canberra — The Prime Minister’s Office

Speaker of the House Office

Being almost as large as the Prime Minister’s office shows the importance of the Speaker in the running of Parliament.

The Speakers' Office Old Parliament House Canberra — The Speakers’ Office

The Senate

Predominantly red in colour to reflect its association with the British House of Lords, the Senate Chamber is far less crowded than the House of Representatives. Each senator had their own desk. This was because there were only half the number of senators in the same sized room.

President of the Senate

Senators' Meeting Room Old Parliament House Canberra — Suite of the President of the Senate

Special Exhibitions

A replica set of the British Crown Jewels are on display during our visit. Excellent copies of the originals, great to see and certainly easier to visit than going to London.

Replicas of the crowns of Queens Mary 1911 (left) and Queen Elizabeth 1937 (right)

Replicas of the Imperial State Crown (left). Queen Victoria's crown (centre) and the Imperial Crown of India (right) — Replicas of the crowns of Queens Mary 1911 (left) and Queen Elizabeth 1937 (right)

What Did We Think?

A great place to learn about how Australian democracy works. Not only an interesting old building with its own importance, but a showcase of how the Westminster style of government operates.

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13 February 20248 February 2024

Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra

Cartonnage of Nehemsu, 22 Dynasty, 943-746 BCE

Discover Ancient Egypt At The National Museum of Australia in Canberra

On display until 8 September 2024 at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, Discover Ancient Egypt displays fascinating artifacts from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden).

What’s on Display

Entering the museum, you are greeting by a statue of Anubis, the Egyptian god of funerary rites, protector of graves, and guide to the underworld. From here, the displays take you through the lives of ancient Egyptians, with an emphasis on the funerary process.

Statue of Anubis at the Entrance to the Australian Museum Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra — Statue of Anubis at the Entrance to the Australian Museum

Stelae

Used for a variety of purposes, stelae are stone or wooden slabs containing information. Uses included burial markers placed outside tombs, monuments that commemorated special events, the marking of boundaries or made offerings to gods. As such they provide a great inside to the thinking of the Egyptians.

Funerary stela of Hor, Late period 26th Dynasty c.664-525 BCE

Limestone offering stela of Khu and his family, Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c.1878-1843 BCE — Funerary stela of Hor, Late period 26th Dynasty c.664-525 BCE

Sarcophagi and Coffins

This was one of the largest parts of the display, with 10 coffins on display. The detail of the decorations used on them really has to be seen to be appreciated. Not only are the outsides covered, but the interior as well.

Also in this section, were several mummies. To demonstrate the latest scientific techniques used an interactive display allowed us to see what a 3D scan revealed. This meant that the interior and composition of the mummy could be determined without unwrapping and damaging the body inside.

Inner coffin of Amenhotep - High Priest of Amun, 21st Dynasty 1076-944 BCE — Cartonnage of Nehemsu, 22 Dynasty, 943-746 BCE

Canopic Jars

During the mummification process, the internal organs and brain were removed. As these would be needed in the afterlife, they were stored in canopic jars. On display, were a series of jars, showing how the designed changed from square boxes, to stone jars.

Canopic chest, Late Period, 722-322 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra — Canopic chest, Late Period, 722-322 BCE

Three canopic jars — Canopic chest, Late Period, 722-322 BCE

Burial Goods

To ensure the dead enjoyed the afterlife, the tombs contained objects they would need. This could be as simple as a model of a boat, or a complex diorama showing the making of bread and the brewing of beer, to ensure that these were is plentiful supply.

Winged scarab, representing the rising sun

Tomb statue of Hormin 19th Dynasty, 1290-1213 BCE — Winged scarab, representing the rising sun

What Did We Think?

This was a fantastic exhibition and highly recommended to anyone who likes archaeology or ancient history. Laid out with plenty of detailed descriptions, the displays are amazing. If you’re in Canberra while it’s on, it’s a great way to see Egyptian artifacts without leaving the country.

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16 January 202415 January 2024

Old Government House and Parramatta Park Australia

Old Government House Parramatta Australia

Located on the banks of the Parramatta River, Old Government House is the oldest surviving public building in Australia. Additionally it is an important UNESCO World Heritage listed site, and one of 11 recognised convict sites that tell the story of Australia’s forced convict migration.

History of Old Government House

Built between 1799 and 1818 by convict labour, the house and Barracks buildings are the oldest surviving public buildings in Australia.

The Georgian house was the country residence for the first ten governors of New South Wales. The ten Governors used Old Government House as either their primary or secondary residence.

Governor Denison officially handed over the house to the care of the Parramatta Park Trust in 1855. Parramatta Park Trust leased the building for private use, and over the next 100 years it was run variously as a boarding house, school and private home.

In 1967 the House transferred to the National Trust by an act of Parliament. The house features a collection of Australian colonial furniture, displayed as it would have been when Governor Macquarie was in residence.

Current Use of Old Government House

Today, Old Government House is operated as a museum and managed by the National Trust of Australia (NSW). Only open Thursday to Sunday

Old Government House Parramatta — Government House

Parramatta Park

Covering 85 hectares, the surrounding grounds of Old Government House, known as Parramatta Park, provide a picturesque setting for walks and recreational activities.

Originally used for farming and grazing by the early settlers in the late 19th century, it was transformed into a public park by Frederick Law Olmsted, renowned for his work on New York City’s Central Park.

Historical Landmarks and Memorials

Parramatta Park is home to several historical landmarks and memorials that pay tribute to significant events, influential figures, and important moments in Australian history.

Boer War Memorial

Erected in 1904, this memorial commemorates the soldiers from New South Wales who served in the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa.

Governor Brisbane’s Bathhouse

Built in the early 19h century for Governor Brisbane, the Trustees converted it to a pavilion in 1886.

Observatory

Governor Brisbane built an observatory in the Park in 1821, in keeping with the spirit of discovery of the time. Used by explorer Thomas Mitchell’s first trigonometric survey of Australia in 1828, the transit stones, which originally supported a transit telescope, are all that remains of the observatory.

Transit stones from the observatory — Site of the observatory

For more information about Parramatta Park and its memorials, you can visit the official website: Parramatta Park.

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Category: Historical Museum

Old Parliament House Canberra

Old Parliament House Canberra

Getting There

History