Friends of the National Museum of Labour

Introduction to the National Museum of Labour

This has been developed to support the campaign for the establishment of a National Museum of Labour in Australia.

You will find

- information about the current objectives of the National Museum of Labour
- the current Board and structure of the National Museum of Labour
- calendar of events
- membership
-
The campaign was launched in 2009 by UnionsACT, and after gaining significant support from other Union peak bodies, labour historians, politicians and other individuals, a non-profit company was incorporated in early 2010 and a Board of Directors formed.

With generous sponsorship from prominent industrial labour law firm, Slater and Gordon, we have appointed a Project Manager, set up a small registered office at UnionsACT, developed a corporate image (and website) and launched a major campaign to turn our vision into a reality.

Much of our current work is undertaken by volunteers. As yet we have no firm offers for a Museum site or storage space for any materials. We are therefore not yet able to accept items for display, conservation or storage. But we are planning to run a number of mobile exhibits around Australia in the coming months.

We have looked at the Peoples History Museum (http://www.phm.org.uk) in Manchester England as an example of what we would like to achieve here.

Objectives
- To develop a new project of national significance in the form of museum to provide a permanent exhibition of industrial labour history
- To be a place for central exhibition, education and display rather than a centralised repository
- To bring together all sources of labour history for public exposition
- To allow Australia’s rich labour and industrial history to be seen and our stories to be told
- To provide a broad range of public access including:
o static and dynamic displays
o audio visual presentations and re-enactments
o public education campaigns
o travelling exhibitions
o electronic and digital preservation and access
o on-line virtual museum

This new National Museum would ideally be located in the same area as other
national icons, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, in Canberra - the nation’s capital.
How can you help?

• Tax deductible gifts / Sponsorships

Make a donation or sponsorsip

• We have secured DGR statuswith the tax office, and are on the lookout for donations, sponsorships and grants.

• Foundation membership

Become a foundation member and have your name permanantly inscribed on the proposed wall of honour.

At only $450 per member.

• Ordinary General Membership

Apart from supporting the campaign and becoming a part of our active constituency, members will also receive benefits when the Museum opens.

At $45 per person (concessions available).

See membership application attached.

Contact us

Registered Office:

189 Flemington Rd
Mitchell ACT 2911
Tell: 02 6247 7844
Fax: 02 6247 2349
Email: admin@nml.net.au
http://www.nml.net.au

Chair: Kim Sattler (Secretary UnionsACT) 0414 918 452 chair@nml.net.au
Project Manager: Eva Scheerlinck (043 867 885) projectmanager@nml.net.au
Friends coordinator: Peter Galvin info@nml.net.au

Prologue

Australia has a rich labour history which currently resides in union buildings, university archives, personal homes, local museums, employer’s offices, labour councils and most of it is not properly documented or preserved.

There are many stories waiting to be told and more importantly waiting to be heard.