Thank You to our National Treasures Sponsors
Shortis &
Simpson entertain guests
Photo: Loui Seselja
(L-R) Geoff
Hughes (Principal Sponsor, AAMI), Alan Smith (NSLA)
Photo: Loui Seselja
(L-R)
Geoff Hughes (Principal Sponsor, AAMI), entertainer Barry Crocker,
Doreen Mellor (National Library) and David Hawes (Major Sponsor,
Qantas)
Photo: Loui Seselja
On 31 October 2007, the National Library hosted a dinner to thank and acknowledge the generous sponsors and supporters of the National Treasures from Australia’s Great Libraries exhibition, which was launched in Canberra at the National Library of Australia in December 2005 and toured to every capital city over a period of two years. The ‘treasures’ theme of the dinner extended to beautiful floral arrangements, overflowing chocolate treasure chests, and gold-wrapped gifts for sponsor representatives—all of which added to the celebratory and festive ambience. Guests were entertained by well-known satirists and performers Shortis & Simpson, who composed a new song for the occasion, to celebrate both the National Treasures exhibition and sponsor contributions. Guest speakers on the night were Geoffrey Hughes, National Public Affairs Manager from Principal Sponsor AAMI, and Alan Smith, the current Chair of National and State Libraries Australasia (NSLA). Guests from partner libraries also travelled to Canberra to join the celebration.
Over the life of the National Treasures exhibition, around 420 000 people marvelled at a wide and diverse range of historical treasures from the collections of the National, State and Territory libraries. The exhibition was shown at the State Library of Victoria; the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (in partnership with the State Library of Tasmania); the State Library of New South Wales; the State Library of Queensland; Flinders University Art Museum Gallery in the State Library of South Australia; the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (in partnership with the Northern Territory Library); and the Western Australian Museum (in partnership with the State Library of Western Australia). Those who couldn’t visit the exhibition were able to enjoy a selection of items online on a website that attracted over six and half million hits, with visitors particularly fascinated by the story of Lindy Chamberlain and the enigma of that great Australian icon, the Hills Hoist, closely followed by the convict uniform, Ned Kelly and the bombing of Darwin.
None of this would have been possible without the generous support of Principal Sponsor AAMI, Major Sponsors Qantas, The Australian, Hoyts, Animal Logic, Sofitel, SBS, and ABC Local Radio, and the Federal Government through Art Indemnity Australia and Visions of Australia. National Library staff will long remember the continuing support and involvement of sponsor and grant agency representatives over a period of years and the warm connections established during that time.
Doreen Mellor
Director, Development
and
Bobby Graham
Program Manager, Development