Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka

Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (M.A.D.E.)

Eureka Centre in 2009
Established 4 May 2013[1]
Location Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Coordinates 37°33′54″S 143°53′02″E / 37.565°S 143.884°E / -37.565; 143.884
CEO Sarah Masters (Acting)
Curator Cash Brown
Public transit access Ballarat's bus system.
Nearest car park Free limited onsite parking
Website made.org

The Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (M.A.D.E.) is a museum dedicated to democracy, located at the site of the Eureka Rebellion in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.

The museum's centrepiece is the original Eureka Flag, upon which the rebels swore an oath to the flag as a symbol of defiance against the ruling colonial government.

History

In 1854 a period of civil disobedience by gold miners over the actions of the government culminated in a rebellion at Eureka, Victoria during which at least 27 people, mostly rebels, died. It was the most prominent rebellion in Australia's history.

The Eureka Flag

Various memorials have been erected at the site since the rebellion, with the former Eureka Centre being refurbished to become the museum. This was funded by $5 million from both the Australian and Victorian governments and $1.1 million from the City of Ballarat.[2][3]

Exhibition

The museum makes extensive use of modern, interactive technologies together with hundreds of historical items to present a diverse selection of displays highlighting the history of democracy throughout the world, but with an emphasis on Australian elements.

The key feature of the exhibition is the original Eureka Flag that was first flown at the site of the museum at during the Eureka Rebellion in 1854.[4] Many sound clips and videos are used to illustrate the museum's theme, including Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech[5] and Paul Keating's Redfern Park Speech.

References

  1. ↑ Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka | Visit Ballarat
  2. ↑ "Nocookies". The Australian. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  3. ↑ Westwood, Matthew (4 May 2013). "Eureka remixed at new Museum of Australian Democracy". The Australian. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  4. ↑ Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka | M.A.D.E
  5. ↑ Eureka Museum celebrates democracy - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Further reading

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