Collection interactives

The Crimson Thread of Kinship is a 12-metre-long embroidery representing the unfolding story of Australia. It depicts the changing landscape of the nation, beginning with Aboriginal occupation of the continent and finishing in the southern night sky.

Share the story behind the embroidery, learn about the history of needlework in Australia and meet the people who spent thousands of hours creating this magnificent work.

> Launch the Crimson Thread of Kinship - Flash interactive (Flash 8 compatible - download Flash)

> View the Crimson Thread of Kinship in HTML

Harvest of Endurance is a 50-metre-long scroll that represents two centuries of Chinese contact with, and emigration to, Australia. The scroll depicts stories of hardship and survival, resourcefulness and reward.

Learn more about the people and places featured in the scroll, about its creation and how the traditional colours and lines can be read.

> Launch the Harvest of Endurance scroll - Flash interactive (Flash 8 compatible - download Flash)

> View the Harvest of Endurance scroll in HTML

'I am a Widow's Son, outlawed and my orders must be obeyed'. With these chilling words bushranger Ned Kelly ended the Jerilderie letter, a detailed written justification of his actions. Kelly tried to have the 56-page letter published in Jerilderie in 1879, the year before he was hanged.

Read the full transcription of the Jerilderie letter and learn why this manifesto is regarded by some as an early call for an Australian republic.

> Launch the Jerilderie letter - Flash interactive (Flash 6 compatible - download Flash)

Oscar was a young Aboriginal man who grew up in Queensland in the 1880s. The drawings in his sketchbook appear to present an autobiographical account of his life, with Indigenous scenes and cross-cultural contact.

Flip through the 40 pages of Oscar's sketchbook. Share the intriguing story of the station owner who helped to preserve this unique personal snapshot of late nineteenth century Australia.

> Launch the Oscar's sketchbook - Flash interactive (3.3mb) (Flash 7 compatible - download Flash)

> View the Oscar's sketchbook in HTML