The National Library of Australia is calling on all Australians to help collect campaign material from the 2023 Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Collecting political ephemera is a part of the Library's role to collect, preserve and share the history of Australia.
Director-General of the National Library of Australia, Dr Marie-Louise Ayres FAHA, said the Library has collected ephemera relating to many of the 44 proposals for constitutional change put to the Australian elector, including material from referendums held in 1999 and 1967.
'Thanks to the Australian public, we've built the largest collection of political memorabilia in Australia,' Dr Ayres said.
'In the lead up to the referendum, Australians can expect to be inundated with flyers, posters, badges, stickers, and printed material. Don't throw these items away, but instead donate them to the national collection and help us build this exceptional resource.'
This ephemera provides a unique perspective into Australia's social life and political landscape, and the context in which the referendum was held. In addition to collecting the printed and physical items produced, the Library is also collecting digital material including websites and selected social media. This material will offer historians and researchers of the future fascinating insights into the arguments put for and against the Referendum.
You can help the Library collect items representing the diverse voices in the debate from all across Australia by donating your local campaign material.
