14 May 2003
The Friends of the National Museum of Australia are inviting Canberrans to bring in their treasures for a free assessment to celebrate International Museums Day this Sunday.
Collectibles expert Perry Quinton from Channel 7's House Calls to the Rescue will join National Museum conservators, led by Eric Archer, in advising visitors on the history, restoration and care of their family treasures.
'The National Museum tells the stories of Australia and this weekend, our expert panel will help further uncover the stories of the everyday and the curious objects people have in their homes,' said Carolyn Forster, Friends of the National Museum President.
Junk or Treasure Day is being held to mark International Museums Day, which this year is themed 'Museums and Friends.'
'The Friends of the National Museum are one of our own great treasures, lobbying for the establishment of the Museum from 1989 and working tirelessly since our opening in 2001 to complement our many programs and exhibitions,' said National Museum Director Dawn Casey.
The expert panel will be in the National Museum's Hall from 11am to 3pm on Sunday, 18 May.
Perry Quinton, who has dealt in collectibles for 30 years and is an Art Deco expert, will also give a free talk on What's 'In' In Collecting in the Museum's Studio from 1-2pm.
The Friends' Junk or Treasure Day includes performances from harpist Hilary Manning and Canberra songsters Rhythm Syndicate, along with free screenings of the 1927 Australian silent screen treasure, The Kid Stakes.
The program ends with an Archaeology in the Lounge forum led by Paul Willis from ABC's Catalyst. Feminist and Roman specialist Pim Allison will help unravel the curly question of who owns once-plundered artefacts in the Lounge from 4.15pm.
For more information please contact Friends Executive Officer Tom Layton on 02 6208 5048 or 0438 620 710.