An Australian Museum of Sport for Canberra

No Australian government is ever keen to take on new expenditure, and there is generally never a good time to seek funding for a great new public enterprise. However no cultural institution was ever decided upon nor built quickly and perhaps when the first sod is to be turned Australia may be in the required financial position. But, whatever the financial situation, the argument is still valid, Australia needs a new museum. When it gets one may not matter so much, but whether we do get one is of great importance.

It can be said that there are already collections of sport in Australia, the National Sports Museum owever these are dispersed and uneven collections of sporting ephemera and memorabilia across Australia’s other cultural institutions. Being dispersed across libraries and archives throughout Australia they fail to tell a comprehensive story and they do not provide a single point of access or reference for the interested visitor or scholar. Collecting these artefacts together would create a centre of excellence that like the National Library or the National Gallery would comprise a much wider possibility of research, education, outreach and entertainment.

When a new cultural collecting agency is created the other bodies that hold material in this subject area donate or lend what they hold on that subject to the new body. Therefore there are many items to establish a collection for a new museum that are already owned by federal and state governments.

There is also a vast amount of material collected by individual supporters and sporting organisations that are looking for a permanent and secure home. There is so much collected in the wider community and so few places that it can be donated to, that any request for exhibits would be immediately fulfilled by donation.

Australian sports medical and scientific research is second to none. However, the wider cultural and sociological study of sport in Australia is far less pronounced. That there is no central point of research or reference contributes to this gap in our knowledge.

Creating an Australian Museum of Sport will increase the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of sport for all. As a family destination it will be inspiring, exciting and educational. For the sports fan it will be a place that supports and reflects their passion. For the academic or independent researcher it will be a haven for serious study.

As a public building dedicated to sport it would also serve as focal point for ceremonies, events and celebrations. A place where our parliamentarians and the public can gather when the nation wishes to acclaim its athlete heroes and sporting triumphs.

And when our greatest athletes are celebrated within this museum, they will not be diminished but enhanced. As everyone will be able to see how they have managed to shine brightest among such an illustrious sporting nation.