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Tony Armstrong on a folding bike, with a suburban backdrop.

A home for Australia's extraordinary things

Tony Armstrong’s Extra-Ordinary Things brought together 25 personal experiences and revealed how seemingly ordinary things can have extraordinary stories.

Tony discovered that even the simplest of things can tell a powerful story. Whether they're cherished possessions or national treasures, objects are the key to unlocking our memories. Through them, we can share our experiences, understand our past and imagine our future.

The Museum collects and cares for objects and their stories on behalf of all Australians. You can explore our collections – and their important and moving histories – online and in our exhibitions.

Listen to 'An extra-ordinary conversation' featuring Tony with the ABC's Dan Bourchier, curator Dr Martha Sear,and some of the people who shared their remarkable stories on ABC Radio National's Big Ideas.

Exhibition highlights

Here's a few favourites among the 25 objects from the ABC series, plus Tony's folding bike, that were on show in the Museum's exhibition.

Slideshow

A small oval pin with a colour image of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the front. - click to view larger image Various multi-coloured show ribbons, with tassels at either end, sewn together. - click to view larger image Three pale green gum leaves on a dark background. - click to view larger image A metal trunk covered on the outside in sheet music pages. A multi-coloured piece of fabric is draped over the front. - click to view larger image A typed letter on Prime Minister, Australia letterhead, signed by Bob Hawke, addressed to Tracey Corbin, Peakhurst, NSW, and dated 23 July 1985. - click to view larger image

Sydney Harbour Bridge commemorative pin, 1932, presented to rigger George Killen

Shearing prize ribbons, 1982–99, won by Cathy Wendelborn

Gumleaves, 2024, prepared and played by Uncle Herb Patten

Household trunk, 1970, used to shelter baby Matthew McMahon during Cyclone Tracy

Letter from Prime Minister Bob Hawke, 1985, sent to Tracey Corbin

Tony Armstrong's Extra-Ordinary Things 1:52
Cyclone Tracy trunk 1:29
The gum leaf man 1:29
Shearing prize ribbons 1:02
A letter from Prime Minister Bob Hawke 1:27
Sydney Harbour Bridge pin 1:17

Media release

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