Forgotten or Ignored Australians? The AustralianMuseum Sector's Marginalisation of Inside - Lifein Children's Homes and Institutions

Abstract

In 2009, the Australian Government announced as part of the National Apology to Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants its support of a history project at the National Museum of Australia that would serve as a reminder of the experiences of institutionalised children. Two years after “Inside: Life in Children’s Homes and Institutions” was on display at the National Museum, only the Melbourne and Queensland Museums had agreed to host this exhibition that was funded to tour nationally. The lack of take-up by Australian museums in hosting the "Inside" exhibition about Forgotten Australians raises questions concerning the ability of the Australian museum sector to support socially inclusive practices and prompts conjecture concerning the reasons for this refusal. Show more