IN a move that sees almost one third of the National Museum redeveloped into two huge galleries, the Great Southern Land and Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre were unveiled to media today (September 15).

NMA director, Mathew Trinca, said the development was one which “gives us courage and hope,“, and in the Great Southern Land gallery at least, would take us across the broad expense of history.

In an unexpected popular culture moment, Trinca introduced Iva Davies, members of Icehouse and didgeridoo master William Barton to perform the 1982 hit “Great Southern Land,” a song, he said, “that’s been taken into the hearts and minds of Australians —it’s perfect for this gallery.”

The starstruck director was pleased to reveal that Icehouse would be back on November 4 for a public concert at the museum.

He told those present that the development, which featured more than 2300 unique objects and interactive digital experiences, was the most significant since the museum had opened in 2001.

He praised the museum’s design collaborator, New York studio Local Projects, who are perhaps best known for their work on the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York.

Katherine McMahon, assistant director, Discovery and Collections, said the development had meant the reimagining of one third of the museum, and as such was “momentous”. She urged guests present to look at the ochre and sky installations and the moving imagery of filmmaker, Alison Page, throughout the gallery.

Program manager, Martha Sear, explained the multi-sensory aspects of the exhibition, pointing to objects such as a large saltwater crocodile, steel electric poles from Cyclone Tracy and three huge, suspended effigies of Orcas.

Media were then treated to a walk through the Great Southern Land gallery, which begins with an avenue of giant constructed trees, complete with canopy.

Inside, there were images of the dugong, sacred to the people of the Torres Strait, falling water, and other scenes for around the natural world of Australia.

Kids with Chris the Sheep. Photo: Helen MusaClose to the Museums First Nations gallery is the capacious new Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre, an immersive play space designed for children up to six years, their families and carers, developed with Australian design firm Arterial after lengthy public consultation which led to the decision to limit excessive verbal explanations.

As over-excited children leapt and rolled around the exhibition, museum curator, Jono Lineen introduced media to Discover’s five key fun characters – Wambuwuny the grey kangaroo, Chris the sheep, the Billabong Bunyip,  Matthew Flinders’ cat Trim and Gelam, the Torres strait boy who transformed into a dugong.

“Great Southern Land” and the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre will be open to the public from tomorrow, September 16.