National Archives of Australia

Are you part of a non-profit that manages a historic collection? Your organisation might be eligible for the 2025 Community Heritage Grants program, offering grants of up to $20,000! 💰   Since 1994, this program has supported Australian organisations in preserving nationally significant collections. Empower your organisation to safeguard and share Australia's heritage for future generations. For more information and to apply, visit: https://bit.ly/3QLuo0S Image: A wooden handmade toy bus made for Thomas Archer VI (1917–1994) is displayed alongside a picture of Thomas VI as a young child. This image is courtesy of the Woolmers Foundation, a recipient of the Community Heritage Grants program. The Community Heritage Grants program is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts; National Library of Australia; National Archives of Australia; National Film and Sound Archive of Australia and the National Museum of Australia.

On Monday, Director-General Simon Froude welcomed Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, to National Archives of Australia in Canberra. During the visit, we presented a curated selection of documents and images highlighting Papua New Guinea's journey to independence in 1975. As part of our celebration of the 50th anniversary of PNG's independence this year, we’re preserving and digitising these historical records. Throughout 2025, we will mark this milestone with special displays, digitisation initiatives and public programs. These activities aim to strengthen the enduring relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea while making valuable historical records more accessible. Image one: Director-General Simon Froude with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape outside National Archives of Australia in Canberra. Image two: Digitisation of Broken Glass Plate Negatives (A57 - Negatives of photographs of Papua and New Guinea). Image three: Field with a line-up of local men and European organisers in the centre. NAA: A57, F9.

Happy 60th Birthday to the Royal Australian Mint! 🎉🙌 We’re proud to partner with the Mint to celebrate this incredible milestone with a special anniversary exhibition. Take a step back in time and discover the Mint’s fascinating journey, from its grand opening in 1965 to the introduction of decimal currency, all brought to life through stunning archival images. Don’t miss this must-see exhibition, now on at the Royal Australian Mint: https://bit.ly/3EGIZrz Join us in celebrating 6 decades of Australia’s rich coin-making history! #Mint60 Image one: ‘Mint60’ exhibition at the Royal Australian Mint featuring photographs from the national archival collection. Image two: The Duke of Edinburgh at the opening of the Royal Australian Mint, 1965. NAA: A1687, EK65/B. Image three: Filming for the new decimal currency and display of giant coins - 20, 5, 2 cent pieces, 1965. NAA: A1200, L52609. Image four: Gold coins produced at the Royal Australian Mint, 1980. NAA: A6135, K9/9/80/2.

Last week, we celebrated the ‘Dutch-Australian shared histories project’ with the Dutch community, enjoying Dutch treats, music and a special viewing of collection records. This project has helped digitise over 1,280 migration records, preserving the journeys of those who made Australia home. We were honoured to have the Deputy Head of Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ms Doris Voorbraak with us to celebrate this important partnership. These records are now online and accessible worldwide, ensuring these stories are not forgotten. A big ‘dank je wel’ to everyone who joined us, and special thanks to the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Nationaal Archief, and Huygens Institute for helping make this possible. Visit our website to explore these records and Dutch migrant stories we’ve uncovered: https://bit.ly/41O1Men Embassy and Consulate-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Australia Image one: Assistant Director-General Access and Public Engagement, Ms Danniella McGowen and Deputy Head of Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Ms Doris Voorbraak.   Image two: Robert Verhagen viewing his family’s Dutch migration records held in the collection. Image three: Guests viewing a selection of Dutch migration records on display.   Image four: Photograph of the Verhagen family’s Application for Assisted Passage to Australia under the Netherlands Australian Migration Agreement in 1959. NAA: A2478, VERHAGEN B M.

We were honoured to host the Australian launch of the #AustralianPavilion for #Expo2025 in Osaka! 🇦🇺🇯🇵 The launch event featured a selection of records from our collection documenting Australia’s involvement in Expo ’70 – the first World Expo held in Osaka. We're incredibly excited to continue supporting Expo 2025 by supplying archival content for the 2025 #AustraliaPavilion to share our collection with the world! 🌎

Today we celebrate #InternationalDayofEducation 🏫👩🏫 At National Archives of Australia, our education programs and learning resources bring history to life. 📖 From online classroom resources to in-person school visits and programs, we’re helping students connect with the past and learn about Australian history in meaningful ways. Stay up to date with our latest learning resources and programs in our quarterly teachers’ newsletter ‘Learn’. Subscribe now: https://bit.ly/3Y3JIZV Image: A group of school students viewing a piece of vellum in the Voices / Dhuniai exhibition at National Archives of Australia in Canberra.

Did you know that on 1 January each year, National Archives releases a selection of Cabinet records that have reached the open period? We work closely with journalists and an independent Cabinet historian to select records for proactive examination and digitisation, based on the big issues of the time. Ahead of the new year, journalists are granted early access to records under a strict embargo. This allows enough time to prepare content for broadcast and publication from 1 January. While we have a selection of records ready to view today, many more are eligible for access after being examined for sensitivities to ensure they can be released publicly. Learn what’s in this year’s release, read the Cabinet historian’s essay and learn how you can access records: https://bit.ly/3DtaEM5 You can also watch the ABC media briefing here: https://lnkd.in/gU7TVjTY Image: Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock, Prime Minister John Howard, Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and other members of the NSC meet in the Cabinet Room at Australian Parliament House, 2004. NAA: A14482, 040124DI-001. AUSPIC

Christmas Day will mark 50 years since Cyclone Tracy devastated Garramilla/Darwin, leaving a lasting impact on the city and its residents. We hold an extensive collection of records documenting Cyclone Tracy, including photographs, government correspondence, evacuation lists and media responses. These records stand as a testament to the resilience of the Darwin community and their remarkable journey toward recovery and rebuilding. You can explore these records and discover the stories behind them in our digital exhibition: https://bit.ly/4gB5ax8 Image: Aftermath of Cyclone Tracy in Darwin’s northern suburbs, Boxing Day 1974. NAA: A6135, K17/1/75/26

On International Migrants Day, we celebrate the migrants who’ve helped shape Australia. 🌏   In this video, Elizabeth Cameron Dalman and Andreas Dalman share insights into their family's Dutch-Australian history, highlighting one of the many fascinating stories we’ve helped preserve as part of the Dutch-Australia shared histories project. Over the course of the project, we’ve digitised more than 1,280 Dutch migration records, making them easily accessible online. These records reveal remarkable migration stories and deepen our understanding of Australia and the Netherlands in the years after the Second World War. Visit our website to learn more about these records and discover more Dutch migrant stories: https://bit.ly/41O1Men This project was assisted by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Australia. Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken Embassy and Consulate-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Australia #InternationalMigrantsDay

We’re excited to unveil our new display at National Archives of Australia in Canberra, which celebrates the final stage of the Dutch-Australian Shared Histories project. Over 1,280 Dutch migration records were digitised as part of this project, making them easily accessible online. The design draws inspiration from traditional Delft tiles and features the faces of many Dutch migrants whose records were digitised during this initiative. Visit our website to learn about these records and discover more Dutch-Australian migrant stories: https://bit.ly/41O1Men This project was assisted by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Australia. Nationaal Archief Huygens Instituut Embassy and Consulate-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Australia