Audio on demand

Discussion amongst the panellists and questions from the audience. Museum curators and researchers with experience representing traumatic experiences in museums share their expertise.

Museums and kindred institutions that are serious about reflecting human life are often compelled to confront the dark side of human experience we might prefer not to face. But if we are to be truthful, we must do so.

Roslyn Russell takes us on a journey through the history of Barbados, from its first parliament in 1639, through the dark days of slavery to the present days. Learn why, with its rich history and culture, Barbados is certainly ‘more than a beach’.

James Gardner discusses museum responses to the spontaneous memorials following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US. He looks at tensions between memorialising, collecting and interpreting historic events. Also forthcoming in Grassroots Memorials.

This forum, sponsored by Museums Australia ACT branch, outlines the multimedia used in the National Museum of Australia’s Yiwarra Kuju: The Canning Stock Route exhibition as part of a broader discussion on the future of museum multimedia.

Join comedian Rod Quantock, historians and other writers for an entertaining, provocative and controversial look at Australia’s best-loved symbols – from the quirky to the official, and those with the power to make a nation.

Christopher Snelling provides a case study on how the Powerhouse Discovery Centre and collection stores at Castle Hill have been developed and opened to the public.

Margy Burn from the National Library of Australia, Michael Crayford from the National Maritime Museum and John Greenwood from the University of Canberra review the themes discussed during the day with Louise Douglas from the National Museum of Australia.

Greer Gehrt and Eric Archer discuss the development of a business case for a new Centre for the National Museum of Australia Collections that balances passive design and collection management needs.

Mathew Trinca proposes that at the heart of museums lies a deep commitment to the idea that our material lives are worth recording and that our heritage objects provide insights into the circumstances and meaning of human life.