Billy Hughes at War: Exhibition’s Sydney debut
‘Billy Hughes at War’, a travelling exhibition from the Museum of Australian Democracy, explores William Morris (Billy) Hughes’s leadership as Australian Prime Minister during the First World War.
Director of the Whitlam Institute, Mr Eric Sidoti, says the ‘Billy Hughes at War’ exhibition provides a rare glimpse into the leadership, decisions and character of the former Prime Minister.
“It is well nigh impossible to separate the birth of the Australian nation and its place as an independent nation from the life and times of Billy Hughes,” says Mr Sidoti.
“This terrific exhibition gives us a window into the birth of our nation and the man who was so close to the most momentous events of the time.”
Hughes served in the Australian parliament for over 50 years and is best remembered for splitting the Labor Party in his attempts to introduce conscription for overseas service.
His significance to Australian politics was recognised by Prime Minster Robert Menzies on 29 October 1952, when he announced after Billy Hughes’s death, “This is the first day in the history of the Federal Parliament in which William Morris Hughes has not sat as a member.”
‘Billy Hughes at War’ deals primarily with the moments in Australia’s history that defined his political career, such as the involvement of Australian troops in the First World War; the conscription debate; and Australia’s role in the Peace Treaty of Versailles.
The exhibition combines moving historic raw material, including a number of famous images, with multimedia and interactive components that give visitors the opportunity to hear the voices of the conscription debate and vote on the issue.
The evocative photographs include the iconic images of Billy Hughes standing on ammunition boxes to address Australian troops near Amiens in France in July 1918 and, as ‘the little digger’, lifted high on the shoulders of returned Anzacs on George Street in September 1919.
'Billy Hughes at War’ will be open to the public from August 4-27 and will be housed inside one of the nation's most historic buildings, the magnificent Female Orphan School - the oldest three-storey brick building in Australia.
‘Billy Hughes at War’ was developed by the Museum of Australian Democracy and the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne with funding from The Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The exhibition comes to the Whitlam Institute courtesy of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House and is generously supported by the University of Western Sydney Office of Engagement and Partnerships and Dyldam Developments.
WHAT: ‘Billy Hughes at War’: A Museum of Australian Democracy travelling exhibition
WHEN: The exhibition is open to the public from August 4 – 27, 2010, 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. After hours tours of the exhibition are possible by appointment. Bookings for school and community groups are also available – please call 02 9685 9187 or email info@whitlam.org. WHERE: Female Orphan School Gallery (Building EZ), Parramatta Campus, University of Western Sydney.
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