A Virtual Treasure Trove

1850s artist sought gold through painting but died destitute

An axe made from a broken champagne bottle on display at the Museum of Australian Democracy has come to symbolise women's ongoing political struggle.

Indigenous children learning to speak their traditional language Miriwoong in the 1980s and 1990s can be heard in a unique collection of magnetic strip cards being digitised at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

An 18th century sketch by William Hodges of Tynai-mai, princess of Ra'iatea, is on display at the National Library's Cook and the Pacific exhibition.

Fragments of moon rock and the Australian flag that was sent on the first lunar landing mission are preserved in the National Archives of Australia.

An Australian rifleman who fought in the Boer War was one of eight soldiers awarded a hand-crocheted scarf by Queen Victoria.

A vintage FJ Holden panel van is commemorating the daring feats of newsreel crews in the 1940s and 50s when news was served at the movies.

Helena Rubinstein began her career in Victoria at the turn of the 20th century, and when she died she left a cosmetics empire, philanthropic foundation and a backstory laced with myth.

Johannes Frerck was a friendly man who sold sausages and sauerkraut from his Darlinghurst shop he was also a staunch supporter of Adolf Hitler and branded a spy who threatened Australia's security.

A major work by influential German avant-garde artist Joseph Beuys is back on display at the National Gallery, and is taking the space usually occupied by Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles.