Media Release 18 June 2007
Australian Prime Ministers Centre ñ the first of its kind
The Australian Prime Ministers Centre – an exhibition and research facility – will be launched at Old Parliament House at 11am on Thursday 21 June 2007.
In a first for Australia, the Australian Prime Ministers Centre marries two important elements: access to information about leadership in our parliamentary democracy, established in a building of great significance to the history of democracy in Australia.
'The Australian Prime Ministers Centre will tell the stories of Australia's 25 prime ministers through an exhibition together with a research facility for further study into their governments, lives and achievements', said Michael Richards, Manager of Research and Collection Development.
The Australian Prime Ministers Centre offers public access to relevant material and information and has a strong focus on scholarship. Old Parliament House's collaboration with other collecting institutions which hold prime ministerial material is vital to its role in improving access to prime ministerial records throughout Australia.
The exhibition is a glimpse into the visions, skills and talents of Australia’s 25 prime ministers. A feature object for each prime minister is displayed which tells the story of a significant aspect of their life or reflects their personality.
To be unveiled at the launch is Ivor Hele's 1954 Archibald Prize winning portrait of the charismatic Sir Robert Menzies, which will fill a major gap in the gallery of prime ministerial portraits on display at Old Parliament House.
The Australian Prime Ministers Centre is a core component of the Gallery of Australian Democracy, for which the Government committed $31.5 million over four years in the 2006-07 Budget. The Gallery of Australian Democracy will deliver a comprehensive program of exhibitions, education, research, scholarship and outreach activities.
The Exhibition and Research Centre is open daily from 9.00am–5.00pm. A reference librarian is available Monday to Friday, 10.00am–4.00pm and Saturday, 1.00pm–5.00pm.
