4 Jun 2013Behind the scenes of Secrets of the AfterlifeThis gallery takes you behind the scenes as we set up the Australian-exclusive exhibition Secrets of the Afterlife, showing at the Western Australian Museum – Perth from 17 May - 22 September 2013.Read more Photo Galleries Western Australian Museum
30 May 2013Imaging grant to give virtual access to Australia’s greatest naval tragedyThe Western Australian Museum has received a major boost to investigate, manage and interpret the site of Australia’s greatest naval tragedy – the World War II wrecks of HMAS Sydney (II) and the HSK Kormoran – with a $483,248 grant from the Commonwealth.Read more News Niki Comparti
28 May 2013New Museum to celebrate WA on WA DayThis WA Day public holiday, the WA Museum is inviting all Western Australians to contribute to the New Museum project by sharing their thoughts on what it means to be Western Australian. WA Museum Chief Executive Officer Alec Coles said WA Day is an ideal opportunity to reflect on what makes Western Australians proud to live in, work in, and identify with their State.Read more News Niki Comparti
27 May 2013Amazing ANZANG set to capture FremantleThe popular ANZANG Nature Photography exhibition celebrating the depth and diversity of nature in Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea will open at the Western Australian Maritime Museum, Fremantle on June 8, 2013. WA Museum Chief Executive Officer Alec Coles said the extremely high calibre of photography shown in the exhibition has already attracted strong audiences at the WA Museum – Albany and Kalgoorlie-Boulder.Read more News Niki Comparti
24 May 2013Geraldton celebrates Batavia’s 50thThe Western Australian Museum – Geraldton has partnered with the Batavia Coast Maritime Heritage Association and Geraldton Regional Library to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Batavia shipwreck over the WA Day long weekend. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship, Batavia, became wrecked off the WA coast near Beacon Island during her maiden voyage on June 4, 1629, and became famous for the subsequent mutiny and massacre among its survivors.Read more News Niki Comparti
22 May 2013Antarctica comes to KalgoorlieOne hundred years ago the 1911 - 1914 Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE), famously led by Sir Douglas Mawson, spent many cold months exploring the enigmatic and deadly continent of Antarctica. From June 8, a rare collection of artefacts from the expedition will be on display at the Western Australian – Kalgoorlie-Boulder as part of Traversing Antarctica: the Australian experience, a national travelling exhibition celebrating Australia’s connection with the icy continent.Read more News Niki Comparti
22 May 2013Climate change in the Abrolhos wins MAGNA AwardA poignant photographic exhibition focusing on the effects of climate change as seen through the eyes of Abrolhos fishers has won a prestigious award for the Western Australian Museum and its partners. On display over the Christmas and New Year period at the WA Museum – Geraldton, Seeing Change: A photographic story from Abrolhos fishers won the award for Best Temporary Exhibition under $20,000 at the Museums and Galleries National Awards (MAGNAs). Today WA Museum CEO Alec Coles congratulated the teams involved in putting the exhibition together.Read more News Niki Comparti
20 May 2013Perth uncovers exclusive Secrets of the Afterlife Ancient Egyptian exhibition opens at the WA Museum - Perth tomorrow Artefacts include mummies, intricately decorated coffins and ancient spells Major international coup from the British Museum exclusive to PerthRead more News Niki Comparti
17 May 2013Behind the scenes for National Archaeology WeekEver wondered how the WA Museum discovers and preserves Western Australia's most precious objects? Find out in a series of free behind-the-scenes tours at the WA Museum Shipwreck Galleries in Fremantle from Tuesday May 21. In celebration of National Archaeology Week and the Fremantle Heritage Festival, the WA Museum’s maritime archaeologists and conservators will show you the laboratories, equipment and processes they use to prepare historic and archaeological artefacts before they are displayed in the Museum.Read more News Niki Comparti
15 May 2013Trailblazing tour tempts touristsA bevy of trailblazing tourists and locals turned up to the Western Australian Museum – Albany on Tuesday May 14 for the inaugural Albany Cryptic Heritage Art Trail. Thirty-one people took part in the event, which lead participants to the many architectural, historic and artistic hidden gems in and around the Museum’s Stirling Terrace precinct. Upon returning, the trailblazers were treated to a delicious morning tea, lucky lunch draw, and vouchers courtesy of local business sponsors.Read more News Niki Comparti
2 May 2013Twice in a lifetime Antarctic experience sharedA group of Geraldton expeditioners have added a local perspective to the popular Traversing Antarctica: The Australian Experience exhibition at the Western Australian Museum – Geraldton. Western Australian Museum – Geraldton regional manager Leigh O’Brien said the group, including two-time Antarctic veteran Bruce Alden, have enthralled school groups and visitors with stories of Antarctic exploration and survival.Read more News Niki Comparti
2 May 2013A Line of Sight to beholdThe hidden world of some of the Kimberley’s tiniest creatures will come to life in a captivating collection of macro photography at the Western Australian Museum – Albany from May 3.Read more News Niki Comparti
1 May 2013What’s a nice gun like you doing in a place like this?The surprising link between Kalgoorlie, a famous photographer, and an English Regency gunsmith will be revealed at the Western Australian Museum – Kalgoorlie Boulder on Wednesday, May 8, from 5:30pm. In the free public lecture, Western Australian Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder regional manager, Zoe Scott, will explain how a gun donated to the then Museum of the Goldfields in 1974 has uncovered a larger-than-life story.Read more News Niki Comparti
24 Apr 2013Bugs OVOtake the Museum!The Western Australian Museum has teamed up with Cirque du Soleil ® for a fun-filled Bug Wonders Workshop to be held at the WA Museum – Perth on Wednesday, May 1. Cirque du Soleil is currently in Perth with OVO™, a show which takes audiences into the colourful world of insects. The free workshop will allow kids to immerse themselves in hands-on activities, hear short talks from WA Museum bug experts and the assistant artistic director of OVO, see the incredible Cricket and Red Ant costumes from the show and meet some of the artists.Read more News Niki Comparti
24 Apr 2013On the road again – Development Service Kimberley-boundThe Western Australian Museum’s Development Service team will head to the Kimberley region on Friday April 26 to meet with local organisations and community groups. The Development Service’s acting manager Clare-Frances Craig said the main reason for the two-week trip is to support regional community groups in caring for their own collections. Read more News Niki Comparti
23 Apr 2013Students follow clues to create cryptic tourWestern Australian Museum public programs officer and Albany Heritage Festival convener, Malcolm Traill, has partnered with Great Southern Institute of Technology (GSIT) students Perri Pires and Soshana Botting to create the first Albany Cryptic Heritage and Art Trail (A-CHAT) to highlight Albany’s rich and tangible history. A-CHAT, part of the 2013 Albany Heritage Festival, will take place at the WA Museum – Albany on Tuesday 14 May, from 10am. The free, family-friendly event is suitable for all ages, and involves about one hour of easy walking. Read more News Niki Comparti
22 Apr 2013Yirra Yaakin takes to the Museum stageThe first performances marking the three-year partnership between Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company and the Western Australian Museum will take place today at the WA Museum – Perth. WA Museum chief executive Alec Coles said the Kaarla Kaatijin performances provide a wonderful opportunity for audiences to experience traditional Aboriginal stories presented in a contemporary way. “I’m delighted the WA Museum and Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company have formed such a positive relationship,” Mr Coles said.Read more News Niki Comparti
18 Apr 2013One Hundred Postcards from the front lineAn extraordinary collection of postcards sent to a Boulder woman from men serving on the front line of World War One will go on display at the Western Australian Museum – Perth from April 22, to commemorate ANZAC Day. WA Museum history curator Stephen Anstey said six soldiers serving in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during WWI sent more than one hundred postcards to home-nurse Eliza ‘Lida’ Jane Downey while training or on active duty overseas.Read more News Niki Comparti
12 Apr 2013One Hundred PostcardsFor ANZAC Day 2013, a small exhibition titled One Hundred Postcards was created to tell the story of six soldiers serving in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during World War One. These soliders sent over one hundred postcards to home-nurse Eliza ‘Lida’ Jane Downey of Boulder, Western Australia, while training or on active duty overseas. Three were young men she knew from Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The others were relatives. Sadly most were killed, wounded or medically incapacitated, while serving on the Western Front.Read more Article Western Australian Museum
12 Apr 2013WA celebrates 50 years of shipwreck history Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon) shipwreck discovered 50 years ago Find sparks ground-breaking protective legislation, research and conservation Wrecks and artefacts key to exploring shared cultural heritage Fifty years ago this weekend, a teenage spear-fisherman made the find of a life-time and changed forever how we view Western Australia’s maritime history, Western Australian Museum Chief Executive Officer Alec Coles said today.Read more News Niki Comparti