Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka facts for kids
The Eureka Flag was central to MADE's exhibitions.
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| Established | 4 May 2013 |
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| Dissolved | 31 March 2018 |
| Location | Ballarat, Victoria, Australia |
| Visitors | 68,000 per annum |
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka (M.A.D.E.) was a museum dedicated to democracy, located at the site of the Eureka Rebellion in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. It opened on 4 May 2013 and replaced the previous Eureka Stockade Centre. MADE's launch in 2013 was hampered by budget overruns and long delays.
The Museum focused on the Eureka Stockade as the place of origin of Australia's democracy. The Museum housed the original Eureka Flag, upon which the rebels swore an oath to the flag as a symbol of defiance against the ruling colonial government. The flag was on loan from the Art Gallery of Ballarat.
Governance
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka was established as an independent not-for-profit organisation with a board of directors and with tax deductible charity status. Its sole member was the City of Ballarat. During its five-year existence, the Museum had two Chairs of the board: Professor David Battersby AM and Kaaren Koomen AM.
MADE's was supported by three notable patrons: Lucy Turnbull AO, Rob Knowles AO and former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks AC. Peter FitzSimons AM was an Ambassador for the Museum.
The Museum received an annual grant from the City of Ballarat of approximately $1 million. The Museum also received triennial funding from Creative Victoria's OIP grant program and the Department of Education and Training, as well as other donors. The Museum's annual turnover was approximately $2 million and in each year of operation it posted a financial a surplus.
Closure
At its February 2018 Ordinary Council Meeting, the City of Ballarat Council made the decision to take over management responsibility of the centre. The decision came after lengthy consideration of a feasibility study prepared for Council on the future of the museum.
The Museum of Australian Democracy ceased trading on 31 March 2018, only two months before its fifth anniversary. The Council took over the centre, continuing to exhibit the flag, and engaged the Ballarat community to determine the next steps for a community centre based on the site. The Museum of Australian Democracy voluntarily deregistered with ASIC in May 2018, after transferring its assets to the City of Ballarat and de-accessioning its collection, returning borrowed and donated objects to donors.
Images for kids
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Students learn about the Eureka flag and the Eureka Stockade.
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Brooch from the MADE exhibition Bling, examining jewellery from the Gold Fields.
