museum of australian democracy at eureka

Returning to this marvellous museum after some years I was enthralled by the wonderful interactive experiences which provide amazingly insightful journeys into our colourful past history. In addition the journey through other pathways to democracy including the wonderful talking digitalised speeches of such people as Nelson Mandella, Dame Edith Lyons and Martin Luther King are a very warming experience. The travelling exhibition about people who stood up for others and made or are making a difference is also heart warming. Go there and be enthralled?

Dear JeffreyP1138 Thank you for visiting M.A.D.E. The 9 central touch tables contain material about the circumstances that led to the Eureka Stockade and then the consequences of that. For the 160th anniversary last year, we installed 30 new short films addressing the Indigenous,women and Chinese experience on the Ballarat goldfields. We also digitised and installed over 100 new items about the Eureka Stockade. M.A.D.E was designed to use the Eureka Stockade as a catalyst to get visitors to think about what democracy means to them today. It places what happened in Australia in an international context. Best Wishes Jane SmithDirector

Hi 271debbie511 thanks for coming to M.A.D.E. We have only been open since May 2013 and we are still building our profile even though we have had quite a bit of media. Glad you managed to stumble upon us. I would be interested to know how you did find us? regardsJane SmithDirector

Hi HelenAvalent It is great feedback. I am delighted that your 24 year old son and yourself found the M.A.D.E experience rewarding. We aim to cater to a broad ranges of ages and tastes, so you review was helpful.BestJane SmithDirector

Dear zaz135 your trip advisor review shows what we do is working! thanks very much. regardsjane SmithDirector

Dear christinarosna thanks very much for coming to visit M.A.D.E. I am pleased you and your interstate visitors enjoyed it so much. M.A.D.E is designed to be an unusual "museum" experience in that it is very contemporary and (I hope) engaging! It seems that worked for you and your guests. best regardsJane SmithDirector

Dear Drlizatkins thanks for visiting M.A.D.E. Yes entry is free for Ballarat residents in recognition of the support we receive from the City of Ballarat. We add or change content regularly so please come back soon.regardsjane smithdirector

Dear 60LikeToTravel thanks very much for coming to M.A.D.E on your recent trip from the UK. I am glad you found the experience thought provoking. Enjoy the rest of your travels.regardsJane SmithDirector

Dear 646 RichardP Thank you for visiting M.A.D.E on your recent trip from South Australia. M.A.D.E uses the history and impact of Eureka Stockade to encourage people to think about what democracy means to them today. The video about marriage equality is about three minutes in a maximum of a seven hour experience. Contemporary democracy considers discrimination of various kinds. The Incendiary Library was inspired by the memorial in Berlin where Nazis burnt books. This book case explores books that were seen to be so dangerous that they were often burnt or banned. The compartment that contains the Bible and the Koran is dealing with major religious books. It is not intended as a reflection on the preference of one religion over another. Thank you for your feedback on the signage. We are still working to improve this. I am glad you enjoyed the gift shop, the cafe and the beanbags in the garden. I hope you come back in future. regardsJane SmithDirector

Dear AJLB 1234 thanks for your various visits to M.A.D.E. I am glad your teenager and your overseas guests enjoyed the experience. I hope you come back soon. We have new content going in on a regular basis.regardsjane smithDirector

Dear Glenys Cthanks for coming to M.A.D.E. We have been working on improving the signage and will take your feedback into account. The Flag of the Southern Cross ( Eureka Flag) is an inspiring object, especially when you get to know its story. 40% has been souvenired and M.A.D.E recently found a piece that previously had not been known about. regardsJane SmithDirector

HI Paddy Tthanks for coming to M.A.D.E. I am glad you enjoyed the food and experience of Saltbush Kitchen. The focus on native flavours in the cooking is special. The Eureka Park around M.A.D.E is a great spot and our "beanbag garden" has been very popular this summer. Did you watch the new videos we have in the exhibition space? They are well worth a visit. regardsjane Smithdirector

Hi IanF46 thanks for coming to M.A.D.E and providing feedback. we have introduced a daily 11 am tour for visitors that would like a more guided experience. We are also developing a mobile app so that more information is available for visitors. This will be ready in the next couple of months. Hopefully both of those will address the issues you raise. M.A.D.E has just introduced (in December) considerable new content to strengthen the material on the Eureka Stockade. best regardsJane Smith

Dear firsttimetripper thanks for visiting M.A.D.E. I am pleased to hear that you found the experience at M.A.D.E rewarding. our new cafe Saltbush Kitchen, has just won the best new eatery award in Ballarat. Hope you come back again soonbest jane smith

Hi CathS17 thanks for coming to M.A.D.E from Canberra. It is great that you and your children enjoyed the experience. look forward to you coming back!regardsjane smith