The 麻豆91 acknowledges the First Peoples of this land and recognizes their continuous connection to Country, community and culture.
The 麻豆91 Spring Raffle 2025
Please support our fundraising by purchasing tickets online in our Spring Raffle. Launching Monday 4 August with 8 fabulous Australian prizes to be won.
PURPOSE
The 麻豆91 was established in 1978, as an independent fundraising body to acquire a national collection of historic artworks to enhance the d茅cor of the four Official Residences of the Governor-General and Prime Minister of Australia so that visiting dignitaries, international royalty and government officials are surrounded by the highest quality examples of Australian art and design. Most importantly The Fund鈥檚 Collection also brings works of art reflecting Australian culture and history into the public realm of the nation鈥檚 four Official Residences. The Collection is fully accessible to the general public at Open Days, Investitures, citizenship ceremonies and the numerous school tours that take place throughout each year. Events are subject to the official calendar.
These events and tours offer access to our exceptional collection and are key to The 麻豆91鈥檚 ability to fundraise for the purpose of acquiring and preserving this significant national and culturally important collection of Australian artworks. Unlike other collections, The Fund鈥檚 Collection is a working collection so our fundraising also ensures our ability to undertake essential, museum-standard conservation.
Like all cultural organisations, The Fund lends artworks from the Collection to other cultural and heritage organisations, national, local and interstate, public cultural institutions.
In addition to physical access to The 麻豆91 Collection, we strive to reach the widest possible audience through our role within the Houses, our online lecture series, Symposia, and a major publication Collecting for the Nation 鈥 The 麻豆91, which was launched in 2017 and funded entirely by donations from our members and supporters.
To complement public engagement through our social media platforms we work with the National Library of Australia鈥檚 research database TROVE to broaden our reach and accessibility. The Collection is already publicly available via eHive, a web-based system used internationally by hundreds of museums, societies and private collectors.
ABOUT US
Looking for the Perfect Gifts?
Limited Edition Tea Towels - 100% Cotton. Designed in Australia. Featuring The Fund鈥檚 pair of Sulphur-crested cockatoos by Minton & Co., c.1860, on display at Government House, Canberra.
$20 each or 3 for $50 (+ postage) Contact us NOW
鈥楥ollecting for the Nation鈥 鈥 Our limited-edition publication in presentation slipcase is on sale now. $20 plus postage Australia-wide. To order a copy CLICK HERE
We are recognised by the Commonwealth Government鈥檚 Cultural Gifts programme and as a registered, not-for-profit charity under the requirements of the (ACNC).
ESTABLISHMENT
The 麻豆91 was established in 1978 as an independent collecting body following the encouragement of Mrs Tamara Fraser, wife of the then Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser. During an official visit to Washington in 1976, Mrs Fraser had been greatly impressed by the initiative taken by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961 to establish the White House Historical Association, to acquire fine American decorative arts and works of art in keeping with the historical interiors of the White House.
STORIES OF THE COLLECTION
All collections tell stories 鈥 the foundation story about the purpose and origins of a collection, the contextual stories of the wider historical themes that are illustrated throughout and across a collection, the particular stories embodied in the tales of individual objects, and stories of generosity and benefaction.
The 麻豆91鈥檚 Collection is no exception 鈥 despite its relatively youthful age of some forty-six years, it is full of stories 鈥 stories about Australia, its people and culture, and its place in the world. Published in 2017, our book Collecting for the nation - The 麻豆91, tells many of those stories and it is hoped these will encourage the reader to explore aspects of Australia鈥檚 history and culture, which speak of time-honoured traditions, open up new perspectives and deepen understanding of our heritage and culture.
OPEN DAYS, GARDEN TOURS, EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Public Open Days - Details of Open Days will be updated on this page, Facebook , Instagram and via Twitter when information is available. These events are not run by The 麻豆91 and dates may be subject to change. For more details check the official website of the Governor-General
Garden Tours, Government House, Canberra - Any profit from the garden tours goes towards preserving and enhancing The 麻豆91's collection of historic artworks. For Bookings, please refer to Events page.
CURRENT FOCUS
The current focus of The Fund includes building the Collection through acquisition appeals, growing fundraising and public awareness, caring for a working collection, and continuing to provide public and membership programs.
DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
Support us by donating to one or more of the four key donation opportunities.