New exhibition celebrating the life and times of Governor Macquarie

A new exhibition celebrating the extraordinary life and times of Governor Macquarie is taking up residence at Sydney’s historic No.1 Martin Place from 3 July.

Macquarie the Governor, 1810 to 1821 is a collaboration between the State Library of NSW and Macquarie Group. Visitors to this free exhibition will experience more than 30 rare objects from the Library’s unrivalled collection, including convict leg irons, a policeman’s rattle and flintlock duelling pistol. Interactive displays and games bring Governor Macquarie’s remarkable history to life for exhibition guests of all ages.

“Going ‘on location’ in Martin Place is part of the State Library’s commitment to opening up our amazing collection to the public and, thanks to our collaboration with Macquarie Group, visitors will see some of our great treasures in a unique and historic space,” says NSW State Librarian and Chief Executive, Alex Byrne.

Macquarie Group CEO Nicholas Moore notes: “It is a privilege to be hosting this exhibition with the State Library of NSW. Lachlan Macquarie’s legacy of innovation – particularly in finance – is a source of great inspiration for Macquarie Group. We hope that visitors to the exhibition will share our pride in his achievements which laid the foundations for Sydney’s status as a global city.”

Other exhibition highlights include:

• currency introduced by Macquarie in 1813, known as holey dollars and dumps;
• a re-creation of the fiery debate that encircled Macquarie following his radical policy to promote pardoned convicts, or those who had served their sentence, to government positions; and
• audio recreations of Macquarie’s speeches, letters and journal extracts.

Visitors will learn about exploration and expansion in the colony during the Macquarie era, which included a series of landmark tours by Macquarie and the establishment of many new settlements, including Liverpool, Newcastle and Bathurst.

Macquarie the Governor, 1810 to 1821 is a free exhibition at No.1 Martin Place, from 3 July.