Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House Celebrating the spirit of Australian democracy and the power of your voice within it. https://www.moadoph.gov.au/about/online-house-rules/

We’re all about celebrating the spirit of Australian democracy and the power of your voice. That means we love having conversations about history, politics, social change and rights – meaningful, though sometimes prickly, topics. It’s important we provide a safe space for these tricky conversations, so we have some house rules for online participation to ensure we’re all on the same page. These rules cover participation on our website and across all our social media communities.

Help conserve the historic kitchen at Old Parliament House and develop a new exhibition to expand access to this histori...
17/06/2026

Help conserve the historic kitchen at Old Parliament House and develop a new exhibition to expand access to this historic space. Support our Centenary Appeal and donate $100 for 100 years via the link: https://moadoph.donation.veevartapp.com/donation/view/home/main-kitchen-centenary-appeal

📸 A busy kitchen, c1940s. Mrs B Hall collection, courtesy the National Museum of Australia.

📸 Kitchen hands peeling onions in the vegetable store and preparation room, Main Kitchen, 1988. Photograph by Robert McFarlane, Department of the House of Representatives. Museum of Australian Democracy collection.

📸 Busy staff cafeteria, 1988. Photograph by Robert McFarlane, Department of the House of Representatives. Museum of Australian Democracy collection.

📸 Five busy chefs working at the range, c1940s. Mrs B Hall collection, courtesy the National Museum of Australia.

📸 Chefs ready to serve the Commonwealth Jubilee dinner in 1951. Tony Scarth collection, Museum of Australian Democracy collection.

📸 Parliament House chef, James Nicol, with his margarine sculpture, ‘Brown Dog’, 1982. Image by David Bartho, Fairfax.

📸 Standing behind the 1927 bain marie, kitchen staff pose for a photo and proffer gravy boats, c1940s. Mrs B Hall collection, courtesy the National Museum of Australia.

📸 Apprentice Chef deep frying cauliflower in the Main Kitchen, 1988. Photograph by Robert McFarlane, Department of the House of Representatives. Museum of Australian Democracy collection.

Different cars, different outfits, the same iconic building. 📸 Exterior of Parliament House, Canberra, 1950. Photography...
16/06/2026

Different cars, different outfits, the same iconic building.

📸 Exterior of Parliament House, Canberra, 1950. Photography by Strangman, R. C. Courtesy the National Library of Australia

Jessie Mary Grey Lillingston was born in British India in 1889. She was educated in schools in India and England, and gr...
14/06/2026

Jessie Mary Grey Lillingston was born in British India in 1889. She was educated in schools in India and England, and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1911. Street was one of Australia’s most influential feminists.

📸 Portrait of Jessie Street, 1930s. Courtesy the National Library of Australia, obj-136682724

📸 Mrs Jessie Street speaks for the Labor Party during the election campaign, 27 September 1946. SMH Picture by Gordon Short, Fairfax Media.

📸 Group portrait of Australian delegates to the United Nations conference in San Francisco, 1945. Courtesy the National Library of Australia, obj-146519831

📸 Jessie Street representing Australia at the United Nations. Courtesy the National Library of Australia, obj-231551090

📸 Meeting of Commission II (General Assembly) and Committee 3 (Economic and Social Cooperation). Mrs Jessie Street, Leading member of Australian Women's Organizations, 1945. Courtesy the United Nations.

📸 Eleanor Roosevelt, Chair (centre), at the meeting of the third session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Geneva, 1 May 1948. Courtesy the United Nations.

📸 Lady Jessie Mary Street, 1889–1970. Courtesy Woollahra Libraries.

11/06/2026

It’s all in the small details. Next time you visit Old Parliament House make sure you look up ⬆️

10/06/2026

From 1927 until 1988, the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery was accommodated in offices and studios above the House of Representatives and Senate Chambers.

Visit our new Press Gallery exhibition, now open 🙌

Australian aviation pioneer Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith's famous plane, the Fokker F-V111 B/3M, ‘Southern Cross’ flying ...
09/06/2026

Australian aviation pioneer Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith's famous plane, the Fokker F-V111 B/3M, ‘Southern Cross’ flying over Parliament House in 1945. It was reported in The Canberra Times (22 May 1945) that this was a test flight prior to the plane being used in the movie ‘Smithy’ about Charles Kingsford-Smith.

📸 Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith's famous Fokker F-V111 B/3M, ‘Southern Cross’ flying over Parliament House, May 1945. Courtesy Australian War Memorial.

07/06/2026

You say ‘walk,’ we say Old Parliament House 😍✨

04/06/2026

From 1927 to 1988, the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery was housed in offices and studios above the House of Representatives and Senate chambers where journalists, photographers, camera operators, editors, and administrative staff covered the work of Australia’s parliament.

Our Press Gallery exhibition is now open, come have a look around ✨

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this post contains images and names of deceased persons. M...
03/06/2026

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this post contains images and names of deceased persons.

Mabo Day is marked annually on 3 June. It commemorates Mer Island man Eddie Koiki Mabo and his efforts to overturn the concept of terra nullius.

📷 Eddie Mabo (left) and Jack Wailu on the Island of Mer in the Torres Strait Islands in 1990. Courtesy National Archives of Australia, A6180, 9/3/94/23.
📷 Eddie Mabo, self-portrait, n.d, Courtesy National Library of Australia, AD00412.

In 1988, the final sittings at Old Parliament House were filled with speeches, celebrations and farewells as parliament ...
02/06/2026

In 1988, the final sittings at Old Parliament House were filled with speeches, celebrations and farewells as parliament prepared to move to its new home.

📸 Parliamentarian, staff and press singing Auld Lang Syne in House of Representatives Chamber, 1988. Robert McFarlane, Department of the House of Representatives. Museum of Australian Democracy collection.
📸 Senator Robert Hill (facing camera) and colleagues in the Senate chamber after the last sitting, 1988. Trevor Fowler, Hansard Reporter. Museum of Australian Democracy collection.
📸 Hansard staff party, 1988. Trevor Fowler, Hansard Reporter. Museum of Australian Democracy collection.
📸 Lower floor on the Senate side, 1988. John Cure. Museum of Australian Democracy collection.

Address

18 King George Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT
2600

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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