Travelling Exhibitions
Federation - the first 20 years
Forging the nation, Federation - the first 20 years was the Australian War Memorial's major contribution to the Centenary of Federation commemorations. This travelling exhibition covers the first twenty years of Australian nationhood, 1901-21, and examines the many events during this time which helped to create a unified nation from a diverse collection of semi-independent states.
The exhibition's title provides an insight into its overall theme. The Australian nation was created in 1901 through an act of legislation. However, a national spirit and identity was established through participation in activities and events, including the commitment to the First World War. Our nationhood was tempered by the fire of war, but also through internal conflicts arising from such things as sectarian, political, and racial differences.
There are two versions of Forging the nation. The first opened at the Memorial in October 2001 and was then showing in Melbourne, Newcastle and Townsville. The second version will tour to 23 regional venues across Australia on a tour that will take just over 18 months. Both versions of Forging are supported by an education kit and public programs developed by the Memorial and host venues to complement each region's local history. An online version of the exhibition is also available.
Location | Start | Finish |
---|---|---|
AWM Special Exhibition Gallery | 26/10/00 | 4/2/01 |
Melbourne Museum | 2/3/01 | 3/6/01 |
Newcastle Regional Museum | 21/6/01 | 21/9/01 |
Museum of Tropical Queensland | 12/10/01 | 3/2/02 |
Location | Start | Finish |
---|---|---|
Regional Art Gallery, Bathurst NSW | 30/11/00 | 14/1/01 |
Lady Denman Heritage Complex, Huskisson NSW | 17/1/01 | 11/2/01 |
Robert O'Hara Burke Memorial Museum Beechworth VIC | 14/2/01 | 11/3/01 |
Benalla Art Gallery, Benalla VIC | 16/3/01 | 16/4/01 |
Riddoch Art Gallery Mt. Gambier SA | 23/04/01 | 20/5/01 |
Port Pirie Regional Gallery, Port Pirie SA | 26/5/01 | 24/6/01 |
Gold Museum, Kalgoorlie WA | 29/6/01 | 8/7/01 |
Residency Museum, Albany WA | 13/7/01 | 22/7/01 |
Regional Art Gallery, Bunbury WA | 24/7/01 | 31/7/01 |
Geraldton Region Museum, Geraldton WA | 3/8/01 | 12/8/01 |
Constitutional Centre, Perth WA | 14/8/01 | 22/8/01 |
Warwick Art Gallery, Warwick QLD | 31/8/01 | 5/9/01 |
White Gums Gallery, Chinchilla QLD | 7/9/01 | 16/9/01 |
Mitchell Library and Art Gallery, Mitchell QLD | 18/9/01 | 23/9/01 |
Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame, Longreach QLD | 27/9/01 | 2/10/01 |
World Theatre Charters Towers QLD | 6/10/01 | 18/10/01 |
Nambucca Shire Council - Foyer, Nambucca NSW | 25/10/01 | 11/11/01 |
Hastings Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie NSW | 16/11/01 | 9/12/01 |
Manly Museum and Art Gallery, Manly NSW | 14/12/01 | 13/01/02 |
Regional Art Gallery, Burnie TAS | 23/1/02 | 29/1/02 |
Devonport Regional Gallery, Devonport TAS | 2/2/02 | 8/2/02 |
Rosny Historic Centre, Rosny TAS | 12/2/02 | 16/2/02 |
Port Arthur Historic Site, Port Arthur TAS | 20/2/02 | 25/2/02 |