Audio on demand

Pat Cooke discusses the history and evolution of the National Museum of Ireland in the context of the material culture of Ireland in modern times.

Highlights from Bob Edwards’ fieldwork, collecting Aboriginal stone tools and documenting rock art and engravings, and his time at the South Australian Museum in the 1960s–70s.

An esteemed panel discusses Bob Edwards’ impact in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, museums and museum management.

A discussion on John Elliott’s portrait of Bob Edwards at the National Portrait Gallery and how it portrays elements of Bob’s character, including his cultural diplomacy and advocacy for Australia’s Indigenous people.

The man of the moment, Bob Edwards, responds to messages from friends and colleagues who paid tribute to his work.

Childhood friend Dick Richards provides an insight into Bob Edwards’ early years, from growing up on family farms on the Adelaide Plains, to market gardening, the Royal Geographic Society and his anthropological studies.

A welcome by Andrew Sayers followed by Neil MacGregor’s reflections on Bob Edwards as museum curator, anthropologist and archaeologist, founding director of the Aboriginal Arts Board and exhibitions wheeler and dealer.

In this National Press Club address Andrew Sayers talks about how the ideas that have shaped us as a nation, and continue to shape our thinking, can be illuminated and debated in the National Museum of Australia.

Audio courtesy of the National Press Club.

Curator Guy Hansen and passionate royal memorabilia collector Professor Peter Spearritt discuss Australia’s fascination with royalty and then showcase five items belonging to collectors from the audience.

In 1974 a committee, to be chaired by Peter Pigott, was set up to inquire into the state of museums in Australia and in particular the development of small country museums. Anne-Marie will talk about her research into the Pigott committee records.