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Curator Guy Hansen traces the history of the National Museum’s National Historical Collection. He argues that the collection is eclectic – that there is no single story but many stories, with various collectors bringing different perspectives.

Libby Robin tells the story of the zoological specimens, collected by Sir Colin MacKenzie, that were among the first objects in the National Museum of Australia’s National Historical Collection.

Curator David Kaus provides an overview of the Aboriginal material in the National Museum of Australia’s National Historical Collection.

Sylvia Schaffarczyk reconstructs the history of the Official Papuan collection at the National Museum of Australia and examines Australian collecting in Papua during a key period in the development of anthropology and Australia’s colonial interests.

Historian Angela Philp explores Aboriginal art and culture, and the tensions between aesthetics, history and politics that have been critical in the institutional histories of the National Museum of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia.

Historian Ian McShane analyses social history as museum theme and practice from 1981 to 2000.

Collections and Content General Manager Mathew Trinca outlines the National Museum of Australia’s Collections Development Plan, designed to support collecting efforts for five years.

The history of the Springfield collection, more than 2000 objects from a major rural property near Sydney, is outlined by registrar Carol Cooper. She explores the remarkable family who cared for it and the Museum’s work to make this collection available.

Six expert speakers – each involved with shaping the National Historical Collection over time – reflect on their personal experiences with the National Museum of Australia in a discussion with curator Kirsten Wehner.