A THOUGHT-provoking exhibition examining how Australians have imagined, built and redefined the concept of home over the decades has arrived at Nambucca Library, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the nation’s changing housing aspirations.
‘The Australian Dream?’, a touring display developed by the State Library of NSW in collaboration with architecture commentator Tim Ross, opened this week at Nambucca Library and explores the history, myths and realities behind one of Australia’s most enduring cultural ideas.
Adapted from a larger exhibition of the same name, the display has been reimagined for public libraries across New South Wales and features reproductions of architectural drawings, archival photographs and vintage real estate brochures.
Together, these materials tell the story of the people, places and design ideas that have helped shape, and sometimes challenge, the traditional notion of the Australian dream.
Nambucca Valley Council Libraries Team Leader Rowena Sierant said the exhibition tackled a subject that remains highly relevant today.
“Housing and its affordability and availability is such a topical subject in Australia,” she said.
“I’ve been fascinated with housing for many years and this exhibition is going to crack open this subject, following its theme all the way from the past to the present.”
To create the exhibition, Tim Ross spent a year exploring the State Library’s archives alongside co-curator Anna Dearnley, uncovering stories that revealed the diversity of Australian housing aspirations.
“For a long time, we’ve been told that the Australian dream means a quarter-acre block, a Hills Hoist, and a Holden in the driveway,” Mr Ross said.
“But that’s never been the whole story. My display shows how diverse our housing dreams really are – from prefab fibro houses to high-rise apartments – the Australian dream has always been more than a single cliché.”
Among the highlights is a rare look inside the iconic Richardson House, also known as ‘Kumale’, a futuristic waterfront home designed by renowned architect Peter Muller.
Through striking photographs by celebrated photographer Max Dupain, visitors can explore the residence built by Victa lawn mower inventor Mervyn Victor Richardson.
Although Richardson made his fortune supplying products synonymous with suburban living, he chose a dramatically different lifestyle in a home Mr Ross has described as “part Bond villain lair, part architectural genius”.
The exhibition also shines a light on the largely forgotten influence of Beryl Guertner, the first editor of Australian House and Garden magazine.
Guertner helped shape post-war housing aspirations through design ideas and practical advice while creating her own sophisticated country retreat in the Blue Mountains.
Display co-curator Anna Dearnley said publications such as House and Garden played a major role in influencing Australian home design.
“Magazines like House and Garden were incredibly influential in shaping how our homes looked at the time. Beryl Guertner was a champion for the DIY movement. Her magazine would feature sets of house plans by respected architects so you too could build your own well-designed house in your spare time.”
The exhibition also looks ahead, exploring contemporary housing challenges through a compelling photographic series by Paul Blackmore focusing on apartment living and evolving attitudes towards home ownership.
At a time when housing affordability continues to dominate public discussion, ‘The Australian Dream?’ encourages visitors to consider whether some of the answers to today’s challenges may lie in ideas from the past.
The exhibition will remain at Nambucca Library until Friday 19 June before moving to Macksville Library, where it will be on display from 29 June to 17 July.
By Mick BIRTLES
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