This touring version of one of Old Parliament House’s (now the Museum of Australian Democracy) most popular exhibitions introduces visitors to the 25 remarkable women who have filled the role of prime minister’s wife from 1901 to 2007. It reveals the ‘woman behind the title’, examining the unique contribution, style and structure each brought to the position. The exhibition explores the realities of being married to one of the nation’s most powerful men—including the difficulties of trying to balance public and private life, the glamour, the hardships, the passions, and of course, the politics. This touring version features previously-unseen images and reproduced personal documents from Australia’s national institutions and the personal collections of former prime ministers’ wives.
In an extremely generous gesture, Mrs Margaret Whitlam AO loaned the Whitlam Institute an amazing and historically significant selection of personal mementos for the duration of the Sydney showing of the exhibition, which reveal the interests and experiences of one of Australia's favourite Mrs PMs.
The items on display from Margaret Whitlam included:
* The Prime Minister Visitors Book - the guestbook from the Lodge - with entries from December 1972 to May 1975. For the exhibition the book was opened at the page where H.M The Queen and H.R.H The Prince Philip signed in on their way to a lunch at the Lodge on the 19 October, 1973. The final entry in the book features signatures from the McMahon family, including the children.
* Gifts from international dignitaries, including a silver clutch purse and an Australian wool kaftan worn by Mrs Whitlam at diplomatic functions
* Blazer pockets for swimming which Mrs Whitlam was awarded during her very successful swimming career - including one from the 1938 Empire Games
September 11 - October 2, 2009
Female Orphan School Gallery, Parramatta Campus
University of Western Sydney
The Whitlam Institute is grateful to those who have generously supported us in mounting this exhibition:
Principal Supporter
The University of Western Sydney Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor Engagement
Lady Mary Fairfax AC, OBE
Dyldam Developments
