Audio on demand

Contemporary perspectives on Pacific Islander voyaging, investigating archaeological evidence and museum displays from Pacific scholars Kylie Moloney, Melanie Van Olffen and Matthew Spriggs.

The history of trade, shipping, tourism and migration between the Pacific islands and Australia is explored by historian Jonathan Ritchie as part of Voyages of the Pacific Ancestors: Vaka Moana exhibition.

Museum evaluation and learning theory experts Lynn Dierking and John Falk share insights from two current research projects in free-choice learning in museums, at this seminar for museum and gallery professionals.

Curator Jennifer Wilson talks about her research into the fishing port of Robe in South Australia in the late nineteenth century, as an example of a place where people endeavoured to create a just society with equality of opportunity and participation.

National Museum Friends Foundation Fellow David Kaus outlines his research into Aboriginal artefacts and natural history specimens collected by Herbert Basedow between 1903 and 1928 and now held in institutions across Australia.

Siosiua FP Tofua’ipangai, also know as Lafitani, examines significant Tongan cultural practices, discussing the techniques of tattoos, lashing, house and canoe building over time.

Collector Peter Lane and curators Laina Hall and Susannah Helman discuss three stories from the Australian Journeys gallery: the emotional drama of convict tokens, Alexander Mussen’s redemption on the goldfields and Muriel McPhee’s secret trousseau.

Fears around global warming are explored through different mediums by a group of artists, poets, dancers, singers, scientists, film makers, historians, creative writers and cultural theorists.

Curator and historian Roslyn Russell talks about the work of amateur scientists, including astronomer WJ Macdonnell, in the New South Wales coastal town of Port Macquarie, as part of her research for the Creating a Country gallery.

The National Museum’s rare 1883 Grubb refractor telescope, used in early Australian astronomical observing programs and returned to working condition, is discussed by curator Kirsten Wehner, astronomer Vince Ford and astronomical engineer Hermann Wehner.