Recent acquisitions

Bionic ear prototype

The original prototype multi-channel cochlear implant, or bionic ear, hailed as the first major advancement in the treatment of deafness since the introduction of sign language, has been donated to the National Museum of Australia.

> More on the bionic ear prototype

Victorian Exploring Expedition breastplate

A breastplate presented to the Yandruwanda people who helped explorers Burke and Wills on their ill-fated 1860s expedition records a cross-cultural encounter.

> More on the Victorian Exploring Expedition breastplate

Snowy Scheme collection

The Snowy Scheme collection consists of objects from people who worked on the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme and ranges from tunnelling equipment to snow-measuring devices, hard hats to beer trays.

> More on the Snowy Scheme collection

The Sergeant Arthur Steele collection

This decorated ceremonial sword was presented to Sergeant Steele by grateful pastoralists following the capture of the bushranger Ned Kelly at Glenrowan in June 1880.

> More on Sergeant Arthur Steele's sword

Mornington Island headdress

This Mornington Island headdress was made by the Lardil artist and storyteller, Dick Roughsey as a wedding gift for the marriage of Elsie and Keith de Witte in 1955.

> More on the Mornington Island headdress

Aboriginal artefacts collection

The recent acquisition of several late 19th century Aboriginal artefacts from north-western New South Wales will extend our understanding of iconography and cross-cultural frontier contact.

> Caring for the collection

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