No. 19

MAJOR HISTORY COLLECTION SECURED FOR COMMUNITY

A major collection of Canberra souvenirs, memorabilia and social history items will come into community ownership for the first time, as a result of today’s Budget.

Minister for the Arts, Jon Stanhope, announced that $100,000 has been provided to the Cultural Facilities Corporation to acquire the Dawn Waterhouse Collection for the Canberra Museum and Gallery.

“This collection is a remarkably complete and extensive representation of Canberra souvenirs, memorabilia and social history items, gathered by a single long-term Canberra resident, 
Mrs Dawn Waterhouse,” Mr Stanhope said.

Mrs Waterhouse grew up at Calthorpe’s House, now operated by the Cultural Facilities Corporation on behalf of the ACT Government as a house museum.  Mrs Waterhouse has an extensive knowledge of and commitment to Canberra’s early history and was recognised for this when she was made a Living Treasure in the 2006 ACT Heritage Awards.  

After starting her collection in 1988, Mrs Waterhouse amassed hundreds of items, which commemorate significant events in Canberra’s history. They include porcelain, silver, copper, glass and leather souvenirs; commemorative jewellery and cutlery; artworks and photographs of Canberra and the district; and paper-based items including books, maps, prints, early postcards, telephone directories, tourism publications, newspapers and journals. Two oven doors decorated with views of Canberra provide especially interesting examples of the extent to which images of our city became part of people’s daily lives.

“The acquisition of this unique collection provides the Canberra Museum and Gallery with a rich and valuable resource for its exhibitions and its public and education programs,” Mr Stanhope said. 

“The Dawn Waterhouse Collection will be particularly significant as we approach Canberra’s centenary year in 2013.  Our identity not only as the national’s capital but also as a thriving local community is demonstrated by this important collection.  Today's Budget ensures that the collection can be experienced and enjoyed by the Canberra community and visitors to our city, both now and in the future.”