Tony Armstrong's Extra-Ordinary Things

Sydney Harbour Bridge and symbols of Australia

Inspired by George Killen's part in rescuing Vincent Kelly after he fell from the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1930. Vincent’s fall was widely reported and the medal he was awarded for surviving the fall is now part of the National Museum’s collection.

In the exhibition, the pin presented to George is on show beside the survival medal presented to Vincent.

Birdsville Races and Australia's horse history

Inspired by David Brook, who inherited a leather satchel containing documents that record the past 80 years of the Birdsville Race Club’s history. Today, the iconic event draws thousands of visitors to the outback town.

Migration and food stories

Inspired by Eleonora Di Chiera's Conti (continental) roll, a Perth classic. What started as panini (sandwiches) at the Di Chiera Brothers deli, made to cater for Perth’s Italian migrant community, was later rebranded with an English name.

First Nations artists and social change

Inspired by young Noongar Wongi rapper Inkabee (Ethan Eggington), using his music to advocate for social change and inspire people of all ages.

Women's sport and equality

Inspired by professional longboarder Lucy Small's Equal Pay for Equal Play campaign. Sporting clubs or organisations that receive government funding in New South Wales must now offer equal prize money to men and women.

Leading change

Inspired by a letter from Prime Minister Bob Hawke, responding to a letter penned by 7-year-old Tracey Corbin, following the death of her grandmother in 1985. Mr Hawke's response offers hope among grief and reveals a gentler side to the larrikin leader.

Bushfires in Australia

Inspired by a Country Fire Authority helmet and jacket which belonged to John Minett, who died in the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires. They were given to Brian after his father’s death. Brian joined the CFA in 2001. He keeps his father’s spare set of turnout gear in his shed as a memorial to his biggest hero.

War, protest and the Sydney Opera House

Inspired by protesters Dave Burgess and Will Saunders, who scaled the Sydney Opera House and painted ‘No War’ on the iconic landmark in 2003, soon after United States President George W Bush announced his intention to invade Iraq. They were sentenced to weekend detention and ordered to pay the Opera House’s cleaning bill.

Women's sport and equality

Inspired by Marissa Williamson Pohlman, who in 2022 became the first woman to win the the Arthur Tunstall Trophy, previously presented to the best male boxer at the Australian Elite Boxing Championships. Marissa is also the first Indigenous Australian woman to qualify for boxing at the Olympic Games and will compete in Paris in 2024.

Motorsport in Australia

Inspired by a 1914 Australian-made Peerless racer, lovingly restored by motorcycle enthusiast Antony Gullick. George Spivey raced the bike and set an Australian record of 26.5 seconds for the half-mile. More than 100 years later, Antony met George Spivey’s grandsons who had grown up hearing stories of their daredevil grandfather.

Shearing and the wool industry

Inspired by Cathy Wendelborn, the first woman inducted into the Australian Shearers’ Hall of Fame, in 2022.

Flood survival and community strength

Inspired by Elyse Dallinger, who moved to Lismore in 2016 and found acceptance in one of Australia’s proudest regional queer communities. A rainbow blanket knitted by her mother was found weeks after Elyse survived flooding in 2022.

Migration and food stories

Inspired by Hamed Allahyari, who fled Iran in 2012 due to religious persecution. In 2024 he runs Cafe Sunshine and SalamaTea, with Jen Morillas. The restaurant employs and trains refugees and new migrants, creating a pathway to employment and belonging.

Performing arts in Australia

Inspired by Michael Leslie, one of the first students of the Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre, established in 1975. The theatre was in Redfern, the beating heart of First Nations activism, and helped catapult Indigenous contemporary dance into the spotlight.

Sports in Australia

Inspired by Joel Bateman, who was 12 years old when he witnessed Australia’s first deathmatch wrestling event. After the fight, Joel joined a training school and deathmatch wrestling has become part of his life.

Gum trees and other symbols of Australia

Inspired by gumleaf player Herb Patten, who has performed for more than 70 years, continuing the traditions of First Nations bush music.

From the garage

Inspired by Winston and Rustin Chivell's restored Chrysler VE Wayfarer Valiant ute in 1967, which won the Best Classic Ute category at the 2023 Deniliquin Ute Muster.

Vietnamese migration

Inspired by Miranda Chau, who recounted her family's journey from Vietnam to Australian, including a miraculous rescue in rough seas.

Sporting trailblazers

Inspired by Truffy Maginnis, a founding member of the Adelaide Armpits, which joined the South Australian Women’s Soccer Association in 1982. The Armpits provided a safe environment in which they could be themselves.

Bush medicine

Inspired by the Royal Flying Doctor Service transporting Clifton Station manager Peter Nunn and a station hand, Jarrod, to Adelaide after a serious car accident in the north-east of Australia. They were treated and made full recoveries.

Natural disasters in Australia

Inspired by the McMahon family, living in Darwin when Cyclone Tracy hit early on Christmas Day in 1974. Mum Pam and baby son Matthew sheltered against a trunk and were reunited with dad Peter hours later, among the chaos and destruction that destroyed their home.

Outback exploration and spirit

Inspired by Rob Haken, who bought and restored the Betoota Hotel in Australia's smallest town, in outback Queensland.

Language and literature

Inspired by a dictionary given to band manager Howard Freeman by Chrissy Amphlett, lead singer of The Divinyls. Chrissy gave Howard a dictionary hoping it would inspire him to write a book about the rock scene. That book is still unwritten, in 2024, but the dictionary reminds Howard of stories from his life on the road.

Fighting for First Nations rights

Inspired by Albert and Irene McNamara, who treasure their photo of American singer Nat King Cole at the Coolbaroo Club in Perth in 1956. Founded in 1947 by the Coolbaroo League, an Indigenous political organisation, the club hosted social events and became a refuge where Indigenous people could socialise.

Volunteers and community fundraising

Inspired by Robyn Bullen and Eleanor Powell, who won the 1968 Jacaranda Quest in Grafton. Being crowned winner of the Quest is a great honour, but it’s also hard work. In the year following their victory, Robyn and Eleanor attended more than 60 events, as ambassadors for Grafton.