Diane Gardiner recieving the grant from Minister Crean.

The recipients of the National Library of Australia grant awards.

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Old Treasury Wins Community Heritage Grant

OTB has been awarded a federal Community Heritage Grant to fund a significance assessment for the Old Treasury Building's collection.
The grant was announced in Canberra on 30 October, 2012.

Director-General of the National Library of Australia, Ms Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, said the CHG program showed the commitment by the National Library, along with its partner institutions and the Federal Government, in encouraging communities to care for the nation’s heritage, be it in small country towns or capital cities.

CHG is managed by the National Library. It is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Office for the Arts; the National Archives of Australia; the National Film and Sound Archive; the National Museum of Australia and the National Library.

Copland Foundation Grant

One of the most fascinating and popular interpretative features on display at the Old Treasury Building is located in the gold vaults of the building. It is a 360 degree photographic panorama, taken from the top of Parliament, of the City of Melbourne in 1862. This vista is to be juxtaposed with an exact panoramic replica of Melbourne in 2013. 

The historic photographic record of Melbourne is the most popular interpretative exhibit at the OTB, and the most widely remarked-upon by visitors.  It shows the vibrant young city which had sprung up in less than a decade from the gold rush.  Everyone finds it fascinating to view the city skyline as it was in the 19th century.  Many find it hard to leave!  Some of the original buildings remain and are still recognisable, and the street grid has not changed.  

OTB received a Copland Foundation grant for the project. Photos will be taken from the Parliament roof at a similar vantage point- a modern panorama shot of the city 150 years later.  This new panorama will be placed above the original 1862 panorama, to give a fascinating comparison of Melbourne past and present.  Visitors will be able to clearly see the massive changes that have taken place in 150 years and to witness the growth of a major world metropolis over the greater part of the Old Treasury's life. 

This new interpretation of Melbourne’s history is expected to be a compelling and moving experience for visitors to the site. It will be completed late in 2013.

The Old Treasury Building website won a Museums Australia Multimedia Design Award in 2011 for this website. Congratulations to Studio Alto!

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