National Museum of Australia – Audio on demand program

In 1974 a committee, to be chaired by Peter Pigott, was set up to inquire into the state of museums in Australia and in particular the development of small country museums. Anne-Marie will talk about her research into the Pigott committee records.

James Gardner discusses museum responses to the spontaneous memorials following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US. He looks at tensions between memorialising, collecting and interpreting historic events. Also forthcoming in Grassroots Memorials.

James Gardner discusses museum responses to the spontaneous memorials following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US. He looks at tensions between memorialising, collecting and interpreting historic events. Also forthcoming in Grassroots Memorials.

Professor Penny Sackett opens the Exploration and Endeavour: The Royal Society of London and the South Seas exhibition to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Royal Society, the world’s oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.

Professor Penny Sackett opens the Exploration and Endeavour: The Royal Society of London and the South Seas exhibition to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Royal Society, the world's oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.

Roslyn Russell takes us on a journey through the history of Barbados, from its first parliament in 1639, through the dark days of slavery to the present days. Learn why, with its rich history and culture, Barbados is certainly 'more than a beach'.

Roslyn Russell takes us on a journey through the history of Barbados, from its first parliament in 1639, through the dark days of slavery to the present days. Learn why, with its rich history and culture, Barbados is certainly ‘more than a beach’.

Ms Orla Tunney from the Embassy of Ireland in Canberra launched Sinners, Saints and Settlers: A journey through Irish Australia, a book co-authored by Dr Richard Reid of the National Museum of Australia and photographer Brendon Kelson.

Hear a racing administrator, the author of The Horse in Australia, a bookie and a sports publisher discuss the public fascination with the Cup as not only a day of fashion, socialising, networking and fun but also a time to chance their luck with a bet.

Ms Orla Tunney from the Embassy of Ireland in Canberra launched Sinners, Saints and Settlers: A journey through Irish Australia, a book co-authored by Dr Richard Reid of the National Museum of Australia and photographer Brendon Kelson.

Hear what the Melbourne Cup means to the owner of a cup winner, the first female trainer to win both the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups, the grandson of the inaugural Melbourne Cup winning trainer, and a former jockey who has won the Melbourne Cup twice.

Alison French considers the role of camels and cars in the evolution of Namatjira's art and the ways they fostered and sustained both the practice of art as well as myths and stereotypes that position artists and the economic values of their art.

Alison French considers the role of camels and cars in the evolution of Namatjira’s art and the ways they fostered and sustained both the practice of art as well as myths and stereotypes that position artists and the economic values of their art.

Museum collections exaggerate the traditional lives of Indigenous Australians. Here, Mike Pickering seeks to expand Indigenous history to include items that, though the product of western industry, were mostly used by Indigenous workers.

Dr Chris McConville combines his great interest in horse racing with his expertise on the history of gambling in Australia to talk the Melbourne Cup from a gambling point of view.