About Friends

The Friends is the membership organisation of the National Museum of Australia. Its members are united by a passion for history and heritage.

Friends receive special access to the Museum's collections and staff. Other benefits include a subscription to the quarterly Friends magazine and access to the stunning Friends Lounge, which overlooks Lake Burley Griffin.

Members also receive discounts in the Museum's shop, cafes and restaurant and reciprocal benefits at other museums and galleries.

Friends works in close partnership with staff across the National Museum. Members are invited to exclusive exhibition previews and behind-the-scenes tours led by staff who enjoy sharing their expertise.

The Friends also develops interesting activities and events to cater for members of all ages, in Canberra and beyond. A recent highlight was a tour of Lake Mungo and the Willandra Lakes World Heritage area with esteemed archaeologist and Friends member Professor John Mulvaney.

The Friends's primary aim is to support, work in partnership with, and promote the National Museum. As an incorporated organisation, Friends also plays an important role as an advocate and lobby group for the Museum.

It was founded in 1989 and actively campaigned for a National Museum based in the national capital, for all Australians. This dream was realised when the Museum opened in Canberra in 2001.

The Friends Management Committee includes President Sandy Forbes, Vice President Carolyn Forster and Executive Officer Judy Kean.

The Friends is a member of the Australian Federation of Friends of Museums, the peak body for organisations supporting cultural institutions. The Australian Friends is in turn part of the World Federation of Friends of Museums, an organisation affiliated with UNESCO.

Friends of the National Museum has 3200 members with about a quarter living outside Canberra. Individual, household, school and organisational memberships are available. New members are always welcome with activities funded by membership subscriptions and donations.