Our onsite repository at the University of Canberra holds our collection of historic text books, journals, manuscripts, photographs, artefacts and ephemera. Five themes organise our interpretation of the archival material: Policy, Administration, Curriculum, Practice and Innovation.A virtual selection from our collection is available to view online on eHive. The contributions of our network members are found under Our Community.
For the past 30 years our unique museum has been celebrating Australia's education heritage.
Our mission is to promote an historical understanding of Australian education through the development of our collection, through support for research and through collaboration with our network of school museums.
The ANME is an integral part of the University of Canberra, sponsored by the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Arts and Design. We provide an onsite repository for research for pre-service and practising teachers and training for students of heritage, conservation and museology.
Vice-Chancellor launches ANME book
On Friday 18 September 2026 UC's Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor The Hon Bill Shorten, launched our newest publication – Celebrating Our Educational Heritage: 30 Years of the Australian National Museum of Education. The book, compiled by the ANME's Deputy Director, chronicles the founding of the museum by Dr Malcolm Beazley AM and its development into the nationally significant collection it is today. It pays tribute to the volunteer staff who have run the museum and the donors who have contributed the thousands of books, artefacts and ephemera now held in the collection. The publication also highlights treasures preserved at the ANME for the use and enjoyment of researchers, historians, educators and the public.
Copies of the book can be ordered through the ANME order form (Price: $29.95 + postage & packing).
Vice-Chancellor's Award for ANME Director
At the ANME book launch, the outstanding contribution and commitment of ANME Founder and Director, Dr Malcolm Beazley AM, was also recognised by a special award from the Vice-Chancellor.
19th Annual ANME Lecture
The 19th Annual Historical Perspectives in Education lecture was also delivered as part of the 30th Anniversary Celebration by UC Chancellor, Lisa Paul AO PSM, following the book launch. The topic of the lecture was From Inkwells to Online: The Shifting Expectations of Australia's Education System. The lecture explored the history of Australian classroom teaching and considered trends in teaching practice. It also offered a policy blueprint for improving learning outcomes for Australian school students and delivering teachers a sustainable and fulfilling professional career. The ANME will publish a print version of the lecture in the near future as part of its monograph series.
Acknowledgement
The ANME would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by Professor Brian Robson – in memory of his late wife Dr Joan Mena Robson, former teacher, university lecturer, ANME Board Member and ANME Distinguished Educator – which enabled the publication and launch of Celebrating Our Educational Heritage.
ANME Gallery
ANME Current displays (Building 5 Level A at UC, Bruce)
- Needlework & crafts in the classroom
- Educational games
- Historical education documents – ephemera & awards
- 75 years of the Alice Springs School of the Air
Ongoing displays include Gould League of Bird Lovers artefacts, school museums on ANME's National Register of School Museums and early writing implements.
"The power of the ANME lies in its value for heritage, for people and for community. Without it, a large part of the history of childhood will disappear."
Emeritus Professor Noeline Kyle AM
Queensland University of Technology
Our research & publications
ANME offers opportunities to scholars for research and scholarship in the history of education. We conduct regular annual field trips to school museums and schools of historical interest and host an annual lecture on Historical Perspectives in Education. We also publish research monographs and on-line resources.
Our community
ANME is committed to promoting the development of a national network of school museums. Membership of ANME includes registration on the National Register of School Museums. We promote collaboration among members about museum practice. We offer a repository for selected archival material held in communities and privately.
Australian National Museum of Education
Building 5, Level A, Room 5A4
University of Canberra
+61 02 6201 2473
