Snapshots of the collection

On patrol in Papua New Guinea

In 1975, Papua New Guinea celebrated independence from Australia. To mark the 35th anniversary, and our shared history, the National Archives developed a range of on-site and online displays, highlighting the work of Australian patrol officers in Papua New Guinea.

Bar the Gates – with 'Beauforts'

During World War II, more than 700 Beaufort aircraft were produced in Australia. James Northfield's colourful posters publicised the role of the Beauforts in countering the Japanese threat in the Pacific.

Chinese Australians – records of travel and settlement

Explore a selection of records about Chinese Australians, their families and communities during the first half of the 20th century.

Faces of Australia

View Faces of Australia – the popular wall of photographs of Australians at work and at play that forms part of our Memory of a Nation exhibition in Canberra. Tell us if you can identify a person, place or time. Or simply share a memory.

Find of the Month

From 2005 to 2010 the National Archives presented Find of the Month, featuring a selection of quirky, intriguing or nostalgic gems from our collection.

From Europe to Australia – records of a postwar migrant family

Follow the 1950s journey of the Wlochowitz family from Europe to Australia through records found in the National Archives. The documents are good examples of 'typical' postwar migration records.

Games We Played

Just what did we do for fun way back in the early decades of the 20th century, long before computer games, text messaging or even television began to monopolise our home time? We played board games!

Lighthouse drawings in the National Archives

Explore a selection of drawings and plans of Australian lighthouses from the National Archives' touring exhibition Beacons by the Sea.

Max Dupain on Assignment

Images from the National Archives' touring exhibition Max Dupain on Assignment, featuring the work of one of Australia's most celebrated photographers.

Our Albert Hall

An album of national history, illustrating the part played by the Albert Hall, Canberra, in shaping our national capital and our nation.

Power for the People: 60 years of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme

The Snowy Scheme was one of Australia's great engineering projects. It also brought thousands of 'New Australians' to our shores after World War II. Explore documents from the National Archives' permanent exhibition Power for the People.

Service and sacrifice – records of service in Australia's defence forces

The National Archives holds records about women and men who have served in the Australian defence forces since 1901. This showcases displays some typical service records from our collection.

Shell-shocked: Australia after Armistice

This selection of documents from the National Archives' exhibition Shell-shocked explores how the community dealt with the after-effects of World War I.

Sinking of the HMAS Sydney

The sinking of the HMAS Sydney in 1941, and the loss of her 645 crew members, shocked Australians deeply. This showcase presents selected documents about the loss of the Sydney and the lingering controversy.

Stanley Melbourne Bruce

A selection of documents, objects and images from the National Archives' exhibition Stanley Melbourne Bruce: Prime Minister & Statesman.

Strike a Pose... with Lee Lin Chin

Photographs of Australian fashion in the 1960s and 70s, from the National Archives' exhibition Strike a Pose, with commentary by curator and fashionista Lee Lin Chin.

Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun 1950–1970

Australians' enduring love affair with the sun and the sea is evoked by these photographs from the National Archives' Summers Past exhibition.

The motion that might have saved the Whitlam government

On one of the most dramatic days in Australia's political history, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam was dismissed by the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr. In the frantic hours after the Dismissal on 11 November 1975, Whitlam sought to find a way to restore his government to power.

Wartime internment camps in Australia

An introduction to internment camps in Australia during World War l and World War ll, and information on records about them in the National Archives.

Copyright National Archives of Australia 2013