50 Years of Independence Community Day: Canberra ACT – Visit NAA, NGA and National Library on 13 September 2025!
The 50 Years of Independence Community Day in Canberra is a collaboration between the National Archives of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia and the National Library.
Start your day at National Archives of Australia with speeches and a performance at 10am, followed by a morning tea.
Immerse yourself in PNG’s rich history by exploring original records, participating in curator-led talks and experiencing demonstrations that bring archival treasures to life.
See https://www.naa.gov.au/visit-us/events-and-exhibitions/celebrating-50-years-papua-new-guineas-independence
Afterward, head to the National Gallery of Australia for a special performance at 1pm to mark the opening of the Bilong Papua New Guinea: 50 Years of Independence display. See https://nga.gov.au/events/50-years-of-independence-community-day/
Then visit the National Library of Australia to view the 1975: Living in the Seventies exhibition, which showcases Papua New Guinea’s path to independence. https://www.library.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/1975-living-seventies
Bilong Papua New Guinea: 50 Years of Independence is an exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) from 13 September 2025 until 12 April 2026. It is featured on pages 28 and 29 of the September 2025 Independence issue of PNG Kundu.
You are invited to join the NGA for a performance by the PNG Peroveta Singers of Canberra to celebrate this anniversary and the opening of the exhibition. The PNG Peroveta Singers of Canberra will inaugurate the exhibition with Peroveta and traditional song and dance.
Date: Saturday 13 September 2025, 1pm
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Gallery 21, Australian Art Level 2
Event is free but capacity is limited
50 years of Independence Community Day is a collaboration with the National Archives of Australia for the Papua New Guinean community of the ACT and surrounding NSW and is open to all visitors.
Also visit the National Library of Australia to view the exhibition which showcases Papua New Guinea’s path to independence.
Bilong Papua New Guinea: 50 Years of Independence at the National Gallery of Australia displays part of the largest collection of Papua New Guinea urban art outside the country. It is on display in Gallery 21 until 12 April 2026.
Further information at https://nga.gov.au/events/50-years-of-independence-community-day/
