“The Fund continually looks at ways to enhance the décor of the official residences with often museum-quality artworks, whilst remaining mindful that these are ‘working homes’ and the Collection is in constant use”

Excerpt from Collecting for the Nation - The Australiana Fund, page 4

The Collection

Overview - Collection Themes approach

The Collection themes work within a broad historical framework, placing key objects as signifiers of distinctive aspects of the Australian story: the long history of Indigenous peoples living in Australia; the continent’s unique story as an island continent in oceans crisscrossed by explorers and traders from across the globe; the powerful influence of migration and settlement over the last 200-odd years in shaping Australia; the very practical hurdles faced by people as they grappled with the challenges of surviving and thriving on the far side of the globe; the coming of age in 1901, when Federation of the colonies as a nation brought a heady sense of achievement and a love of country expressed in the celebration of Australia’s unique flora and fauna; the increasing prominence of women in public and artistic life; and the maturing of a modern Australia, taking its place on the world stage and seeking the best from its distinctive cultural diversity.

The Collection contains objects that have added significance in the overarching sweep of history: for example, representing key artists, designers and makers; with provenance to public figures – in some cases, rogues; illustrating new artistic movements; recording important events and reflecting societal changes; and as exemplars of Australia’s links with the wider world.  

The focus on Australian native timbers used in cabinetmaking is one of the strengths of the Collection. This is unsurprising: the official residences require furniture for the public spaces, and Australia has a distinctive cabinetmaking tradition based on the need, from the colonies’ earliest days, to use locally sourced timbers as the primary material for making the essential objects of daily life.

Jennifer Sanders, Chair of The Australiana Fund