Don’t miss a thing with this itinerary designed to guide you through some of the highlights and hidden gems of Immigration Museum. Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes to see everything listed here.
Leaving Home
Head to the Leaving Home gallery for a deeper exploration of the many reasons people set out from their homelands. This film and exhibition seek to discover what arriving in Australia really means to those seeking a new home.
Voices Across Time
Next, enter Voices Across Time to hear how the stories of First Peoples and the migrants that followed have intersected in joy, sorrow, loss and resilience. Check out the stories in the display cases and the film Forget the Stereotypes for a fresh perspective on immigrant life in Melbourne.
Long Room
For a peek into the building’s past, head to the Customs House gallery and look for the display of images of what was once Customs House, now the Immigration Museum. The building’s intentionally grand design was based on an Italian Renaissance palace. As you continue on into the Long Room, note the Ionic columns and door architraves modelled on no less that the Erechtheion temple in Athens!
Getting In
Make your way to the Getting In gallery to see how Australia’s immigration policies have changed over time as well as the impact these changes have had on society. Don’t miss the Interview Room to take your turn as a government official charged with interviewing applicants to determine who ‘gets in’.
Identity: Yours, Mine, Ours
Head upstairs and along the hallway to experience The Welcome – multimedia artist Lynette Woolworth’s installation that recreates the experience of a new migrant. Will you be welcomed?
Continue on to the Identity Gallery to discover personal stories of connection and community that explore the meaning of identity and the value of belonging. Challenge your perspective with a ride on a tram in Who’s Next Door, a rare opportunity to see the world through someone else’s eyes.
Threads
As you make your way to the exit, don’t miss the chance to enjoy the beautiful stop-motion animation Threads by local creatives Maria Birch-Morunga and Kate Robinson as they explore their Maori and Iranian heritages. This space provides a showcase for video works produced by Museums Victoria’s Culture Makers program with support from the Scanlon Foundation.
