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Members of the Australian Women's Army Service.
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Aboriginal art and display
First Australians The National Archives holds many records relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their histories.
Indo-Chinese refugees arrive in Melbourne, 1979.
Citizenship records The National Archives holds a range of record relating to Australian citizenship, including naturalisation certificates and case files.
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Board riding at Surfer's Paradise, 1977.
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NAA60 In 2021, the National Archives celebrates 60 years as an independent agency. Explore our history from 1961 to the present day.

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Contemporary conversations and intriguing stories

  • Re-enactment on a convict ship showing a convict being placed in an Iron maiden torture device.
    Catalogue cover: Visited by Royalty. The famous British convict ship. The only one left in the world. The convict ship 'Success'. Exhibited at the world's ports since 1890 and visited by 15 million people.
    National identity

    Ship of shame

    Darren Watson

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  • General MacArthur and John Curtin walking along a railway platform
    John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia 1941–45
    War stories

    Declaration of independence

    Patrick Ferry and Darren Watson

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  • HMAS Parramatta – original design drawing. MP611/1, 154/AF30, page 1
    Navy service card for Able Seaman George ‘Alec’ Ladhams, one of the few to survive the HMAS Parramatta sinking. A6770, LADHAMS G S A, page 1
    Naval history

    Lost at sea

    Linda North and Patrick Ferry

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More stories

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What's on

A small Australian marsupial Quokka

Exhibition

Wild West

07 Apr 2021 - 25 Jan 2022

Perth

Discover stories of encounters with shy numbats, graceful black swans and cute quokkas.

Black and white photograph of Lydia Janovska sitting in a chair

Touring Exhibition

Spy: Espionage in Australia

30 Oct 2021 - 06 Feb 2022

Ipswich

Spy: Espionage in Australia reveals the personal experiences of secret agents and the curious history of espionage and counter-espionage in Australia. Developed in partnership with ASIO.

Repeating pattern using Marion Mahoney Griffin's monogram

Exhibition

Marion: the other Griffin

11 Feb 2022 - 08 May 2022

Canberra

Architect, designer, idealist, trailblazer. Marion Mahony Griffin has often been overshadowed by her famous collaborators, Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Burley Griffin. Marion: the other Griffin reveals and celebrates the life and achievements of this extraordinary woman. Exhibition opening February 2022.

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