PURPOSE

The Australiana Fund is an independent fundraising organisation with a membership of like-minded philanthropic art lovers Australia-wide. Its objective is to develop a culturally significant, evolving Collection on behalf of the nation for display and use in the official residences of the Governor-General and the Prime Minister of Australia – Government House and The Lodge in Canberra, and Admiralty House and Kirribilli House in Sydney. Although private residences, these four houses are the stage on which Australia’s Governor-General and Prime Minister receive royal guests and international dignitaries, and perform their constitutional and ceremonial duties. As such, the official residences are the perfect setting to showcase and promote Australian design and art, and to celebrate our history and culture.

ESTABLISHMENT

The Australiana Fund was established in 1978 as an independent collecting body following the encouragement of Mrs Tamara Fraser, wife of the then Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser. During an official visit to Washington in 1976, Mrs Fraser had been greatly impressed by the initiative taken by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961 to establish the White House Historical Association, to acquire fine American decorative arts and works of art in keeping with the historical interiors of the White House.

COLLECTION STORIES

All collections tell stories – the foundation story about the purpose and origins of a collection, the contextual stories of the wider historical themes that are illustrated throughout and across a collection, the particular stories embodied in the tales of individual objects, and stories of generosity and benefaction.

The Australiana Fund’s Collection is no exception – despite its relatively youthful age of some thirty-eight years, it is full of stories – stories about Australia, its people and culture, and its place in the world. This book tells many of those stories and it is hoped these will encourage the reader to explore aspects of Australia’s history and culture, which speak of time-honoured traditions, open up new perspectives and deepen understanding of our heritage and culture.

OPEN DAYS, GARDEN TOURS, EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

Public Open Days

There are no Public Open Days or Garden Tours of Government House, Canberra currently scheduled in 2020. Details of Public Open Days will be updated on this page, our Facebook Page, Instagram and via Twitter when information is available.  These events are not run by The Australiana Fund and dates may be subject to change. For more details check the official website of the Governor-General www.gg.gov.au

Garden Tours, Government House, Canberra

There are no Garden Tours of Government House, Canberra currently scheduled in 2020. Any profit from the garden tours goes towards preserving and enhancing The Australiana Fund's collection of historic artworks. For Bookings please refer to the Events and Garden Tours page.

CURRENT FOCUS

1.       Building the collection through acquisition appeals

2.       Growing fundraising and public awareness

3.       Caring for a working collection

4.       Continuing to provide public and membership programs

DONATION OPPORTUNITIES

Support us by donating to:

·         Acquisition of the Munro Ferguson Collection

·         40th Anniversary Acquisitions Appeal

·         Conservation Projects

·         Care Manual Upgrade Project