Western Australian Museum - Perth
James Street, Perth Cultural Centre
Perth 6000 Phone: (08) 9427 2877
ANZANG Nature and Landscape Photographer of the Year 29 September - 28 October 2007 Free Entry Now in its fourth successful year, the ANZANG Nature and Landscape Photographer of the Year competition returns in all its splendour. ANZANG Nature is an organisation focused on the unique natural heritage of the bioregion of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea. One of the organisation’s main objectives is to highlight the remarkable flora and fauna of this area. At the same time the exhibition aims to raise public awareness of the need to conserve such a unique region of the planet. |
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To achieve this, an annual photographic competition is held and the winning and highly commended photographs are displayed in a travelling exhibition in Perth and regional areas.
Each year entries to the annual competition continue to grow and the high standard of photography, and personal observation offers us a unique insight into this remarkable region. The 2007 competition also welcomes a new category ‘Our Impact’ whichdepicts human impact on the natural environment.
The finalists of the 2007 competition will be announced at the launch of the 2007 exhibition at the Western Australian Museum – Perth. The public will then be able to view the exhibition of winning photographs, and commended entries in the ANZANG Nature and Landscape Photographer of the Year Competition which will be on display in the Temporary Exhibition Gallery from 29 September 2007. For more information about ANZANG please click here.
Linnaeus
19 September - January 2008
Free Entry
The Western Australian Museum – Perth is celebrating the 300th birthday of revolutionary scientist Carolus Linnaeus (1707 - 1778) by presenting an exhibition about his life and work.
The classification of living creatures started with Linnaeus in 1758. As a botanist, teacher, explorer and physicist, Linnaeus was responsible for creating a two-worded Latin-based system that classified the world's flora, fauna and minerals. This was the first scientific classification system for life on earth.
In his early scientific years Linnaeus found there was no consensus on the formal naming of living creatures. As a result, the recording of species became chaotic as more and more of the greater world was being explored, and more wildlife being discovered.
A new classification system was necessary and a number of rival systems emerged. What survived from the disputes of the mid 18th century is the Linnaean Binomial System. Linnaeus’ binomial system is still used in museums and scientific institutions across the world today.
In 2007, the Linnaeus tercentenary is being celebrated in scientific institutions around the globe. The Western Australian Museum will present an exhibition about Linnaeus and his contribution to science. The exhibition will explain the binomial system, showcase specimens from the Museum collection and outline the new species described by WA Museum scientists using the Linnaean Binomial system.
The public will also have the opportunity to take part in a fun, interactive Linnaeus Trail. The trail introduces participants to the natural science galleries and the Discovery Centre, emphasising how Linnaeus’ work is reflected in research by WA Museum scientists.
RECENT EVENTS:
Go To Past Exhibitions
Western Australian Museum - Maritime
Victoria Quay and Cliff Street, Fremantle
Phone: (08) 9431 8444
Voyages of Grand Discovery
20 July - 18 November 2007
Western Australian Museum - Maritime
Admission Fees apply
For the first time, collections representing more than 200 years of Dutch and French discovery on the rugged Western Australian coast have been brought together in a single exhibition.
Voyages of Grand Discovery will be on display at the Western Australian Museum – Maritime from 20 July until 30 November and will delve into the reasons why explorers travelled to Australia, what they really knew about our continent and what were they trying to find.
The exhibition highlights some of the greatest expeditions relating to Western Australia, from Dirk Hartog’s landing in 1616 through to Baudin's expedition in 1801-1803.
Included in the exhibition will be maps, charts and documents from the Museum’s collection as well as items from archival and private collections, including that of Kerry Stokes, Peter Woods and Jock Clough.
Among the treasures to be displayed are two big, colourful charts associated with William de Vlamingh’s voyage of 1697 that were recently acquired by the National Library of Australia. These exquisite and colourful maps show the topography of Western Australia in 1697 as well as details of where de Vlamingh landed.
Voyages of Grand Discovery also explores the travels of French explorer Captain Nicolas Baudin, who discovered two thirds of the Western Australian coast.
Baudin’s expedition produced remarkable pictorial records of the 100 000 animal specimens they collected, 2 500 of them new, as well as images of our natural world and Indigenous people. For more information about the exhibition click here to visit the website.
The Welcome Walls
Victoria Quay
Permanent Display from December 20 2004
Western Australia has a fascinating history of migration. Together, with the first Australians, migrants have created a melting pot of people from many lands. The State of Western Australia is paying tribute to migrants from many lands who have entered Australia by ship through the port of Fremantle, including Garden Island Coogee and Bathers Bay. Thousands of migrants will be immortalized through engraved listings on the walls of this dramatic new permanent exhibition at the Western Australian Maritime Museum. Names listed on the wall will also feature on the Passages database that will form part of the Welcome Wall website, making the list accessible to people from all over the world.
The Welcome walls will be a lasting tribute to the significant contributions that migrants have made to Western Australia.
See Fremantle Through An Orion Periscope
Exhibit Is Open Daily
Maritime Museum, Victoria Quay
Admission Fees Apply
Both the ‘attack’ and ‘search’ periscopes were removed from H.M.A.S ORION, the last of the Oberon class submarines in the Royal Australian Navy and are now displayed in the Submarine simulator in the Naval Gallery of the Western Australian Maritime Museum.
Search Periscope
The search periscope is a binocular periscope used for watch keeping at night or under poor light situations. Its optical system is designed for maximum gathering of information.
This pericope has been installed within the Museum roof allowing 360 degree vision of Fremantle.
Attack Periscope
The attack periscope was used in conditions where the most desired effect is to only expose a minimum diameter of tube. This periscope was ideally used to attack targets.
The attack periscope has been installed modified to incorporate a digital screen for viewing. Looking through the periscope visitors will see an attack sequence of H.M.A.S Farncombe, sinking the former H.M.A.S TORRENS off the western end of Rottnest Island.
The periscopes are a permanent display in the Naval Defence Gallery at the Western Australian Maritime Museum.
Visitors can also enjoy daily submarine tours or enjoy regular screenings of the documentary ‘Wear them with Pride – the story of a submarine’ which illustrates operations aboard the HMAS Ovens.
Western Australian Museum - Fremantle History
1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle WA 6160
Telephone: +61 8 9430 7966 • Facsimile: +61 8 9430 7458
Museum Place, Batavia Coast Marina, Geraldton
Phone: 9921 5080
Creating Wave: The Italian Story
27 September - 31 October 2007
Entry free
Each September residents and visitors to Geraldton look forward to the Sunshine Festival. The celebration has reflected the changing moods of the ocean-side city over the past four decades. In 2007 the celebrations continue with a proud focus on the migrants that have established themselves in the Geraldton area over the last 150 years.
The theme for the 2007 festival is ‘Creating Waves’ and will focus on ideas of movement and change; whether it is the ocean waves, waves of change, the waves of migrants or newcomers to the region.
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In conjunction with the festival, the Western Australian Museum – Geraldton will present an exhibition Creating Waves; the Italian Story. The exhibition will acknowledge the people who have made Geraldton their home throughout its history, but in particular will focus on the Italian community, the largest and most prolonged wave of migrants to the area. The exhibition will retrace the history of Italian migration in the area from the early 1900s, pre and post WWII. It will tell the fascinating and sometimes difficult stories of numerous well-known families in the area. Many families had their male relatives interned during some or all of the Second World War and the exhibition will examine the different kinds of separation experienced by families. Creating Waves: The Italian Story will present personal views on the hard work, tenacity and obstacles families had to overcome to establish themselves in a new country, and the legacy they have left to today’s communities in Geraldton. Objects include embarkation documents, a treasured glory box brought from Italy to Australia, an assortment of tools from various trades including barber and cabinet making items, and a violin made in an intern camp. The exhibition will also briefly outline the history of the Sunshine Festival, the State’s longest running regional festival, in a build-up to celebrating the Festival’s 50th anniversary next year. |
HMAS Sydney
North East Gallery
18 November - ongoing display
An exhibition prepared in house including items of memorabilia kindly donated by Marie Janssen. These items include personal letters, letter of condolence from King George Vl, telegram and booklets belonging to her father, Able Seaman William (Bill) Albert Frederick Smith, who disappeared with the other 644 hands on the HMAS Sydney, 19 November 1941.
Western Australian Museum - Kalgoorlie/Boulder
Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie
Phone: 9021 8533
Howzat! Western Australians and Cricket
1 September - 18 November 2007
Western Australians love their cricket - it's in our blood, it's part of the fabric of our society.
It’s the game that brings families together, pits nation against nation, state against state, and creates heated debate between the best of friends. Howzat! is the Western Australian Museum's exhibition celebrating the history and humour of cricket in our State, looking at all aspects of cricket on and off the field.
From the backyard to the elite Ashes series, Howzat! reflects the willingness of Western Australians to play cricket anywhere at any time - in our back yards, at the beach, in the bush, at picnics and at school. For more information about the exhibition please click here.
Hot Wire Decoration
- Wooden Art from the Desert
Ongoing Exhibition, free entry
Aboriginal people in the desert have long been creating wooden artefacts. Since the early 1900s these have often been decorated with patterns using a hot wire. This method can create intricate designs, and is used on both carved animals, dishes, musical instruments and weapons.
This is a small but rich display, showing the variety and beauty of Aboriginal hot wire designs. It tells the story of the development of the hot wire technique. It shows you the whole process of making the objects, and shows you which patterns are used. And it will make you see these objects with new eyes!
Changes in the Permanent gallery
August - Ongoing
"The mezzanine permanent display is a walk through Kalgoorlie history". The visitor is first taken through a brief display of Indigenous objects, leading into natural environment as seen by the first prospecting teams, then into arid land plants birds and animals, then into a display of travel and the objects they brought with them, and lastly by a collection of photos with text depicting life in Kalgoorlie - Boulder.
Western Australian Museum - Albany
Residency Road, Albany
Phone: 9481 4844
The Museum is situated on Point Frederick, the site of the landing of the first European settlers in Western Australia, and overlooks the picturesque Princess Royal Harbour. It includes the historic Residency Building, Eclipse Building, Torbay Schoolroom, Artisans' Gallery and Mouchemore's Cottage.
A Magnificent Sight
Albany and the First World War
Permanent Display from 23 April 2007
The Museum is developing a new permanent display for the Residency building at the Western Australian Museum – Albany.
This display will highlight the significant role Albany played during the First World War as the staging point for the troop convoys, the impact this had on the town as well as stories of local people who served and their families. This will be told through photographs, objects and film gathered from the Museum’s collection, local people and the Australian War Memorial.
Albany was chosen as the final staging point for the convoy of 36 troop ships and three naval ships that would transport the first 30,000 Australasian troops to the war. Its sheltered harbour and facilities was ideal for the final provisioning of the convoy before it finally left Australia. From 24 to 31 October 1914, men, horses, equipment and ships were prepared for their six week journey to Egypt across the Indian Ocean.
Official historian Charles Bean, who accompanied the first contingent, recorded his impressions of the convoy leaving King George’s Sound in 1914.
At 6.25 on the morning of November 1, in bright sunlight, with the harbour glassily smooth the Minotaur and the Sydney up anchored and moved out between the sun-bathed hills to sea.
The display will have a strong commemorative element featuring Albany’s first Anzac Day dawn service on the summit of Mount Clarence and the community’s ongoing commitment to remembering the sacrifice of those who did not come home.
The display will open to the public two days before Anzac Day on April 23, 2007.