The Australiana Society encourages the research, collection and preservation of Australiana, items of portable heritage relating to or made in Australia.

'Australiana' means objects relating to Australia and its history and culture.

Our Objectives as per our Constitution are to:

  • Encourage the appreciation, preservation, research, publication and collecting of Australiana by private individuals, corporate and public institutions, and facilitate forums within which that may occur
  • Undertake Australiana research, produce publications such as the ‘Australiana’ journal and arrange exhibitions and other events relating to Australiana
  • Encourage, sponsor and assist research into publications and exhibitions of Australiana
  • Educate the public through all forms of communication on the historical, aesthetic, social, cultural and scientific importance of Australiana
  • Provide support to museums, libraries and educational establishments with their publications, exhibitions, research and educational activities relating to Australiana.

Our History:

The Australiana Society Inc. was founded in 1978 to encourage interest, collecting, preservation and research of Australiana. In 2018 we celebrated 40 years as a forum for collectors, dealers, researchers and connoisseurs sharing our commitment to preserving Australia’s past.

Members include major Australian and State public libraries, museums and art galleries and many private collectors.

An annual dinner and lecture is held each year.  Excursions to exhibitions and tours of public or private collections are orgnaised regularly and are very popular with memebrs.  2019 was our 40th year whcih was celebrated with a special symposium Made in Australia on Australiana and Australian decorative arts.

The Australiana Society Inc is an incorporated body (no. Y0048938) under the Associations Incorporation Act 1984 (NSW) and its activities are governed by a Constitution (copies available on request). Our annual accounts are submitted to the Department of Fair Trading. Members liability is limited to their subscription.

The Australiana Society is listed on the Australian Government's Register of Cultural Organisations as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) and donations to the Society are tax-deductible. The Australian Taxation Office recognises the Society as a tax-exempt charity.

The Australiana Society is an independent association. For information on the completely separate company The Australiana Fund, which furnishes Government properties, visit  The Australiana Fund.

Our Magazine:

Australiana magazine is the flagship publication of the Society.  It is a valued means of communication with members and a legacy of the research that our members undertake. 

Curently 60-pages the quarterly full-colour Australiana magazine is mailed in February, May, August and November to all subscribers.

We publish a wide range of lively articles including but not resricted to art, furniture, silver, ceramics, books, architecture, fashion, photography, sculpture, ephemera, crafts and history. 

Australiana keeps abreast of new research, and each issue adds to a valuable and extensive archive. Distinguished scholars, curators, dealers, journalists and devoted collectors contribute.


Our Members:

Membership provides members with four issues of Australiana annually, and invitations to Society meetings and events. Visitors are welcome to attend general meetings, usually an illustrated talk.

Excursions and tours of collections, exhibitions and workshop are Members-only, with household membership covering two attendees. 

Tours have occurred in NSW, Tasmania, Victoria, the ACT, South Australia and Queensland.

Our membership list is private and we do not reveal members' details.

A key benefit of membership is the informal network of contacts that you can establish with other collectors, curators and dealers. 


Committee 2019 - 2020


President Colin Thomas  
Vice-President Andrew Simpson
Treasurer

Lynda Summers






State Chapters of the Australiana Society

 

Members

  David Bedford - Queensland
  Kathryn Gong - NSW
  Peter Lane - South Australia
 Robert Stevens - Victoria
  Scott Carlin - Tasmania
 Robert Hannan - NSW