Australia’s Muslim Cameleers: Pioneers of the Inland 1860s – 1930s

This exhibition reveals the remarkable contribution that Australia’s first Muslim community, from Afghanistan and British India, made to the exploration and settlement of Australia’s arid interior. Cameleers assisted all major expeditions into Australia’s uncharted interior starting with the Burke and Wills expedition in 1860 and have contributed significantly to Australia’s economic and cultural development. Exhibits include fascinating photographs, camel saddles, historic clothing, textiles and original documents.

Date: Until 19 September 2010

Survival of a Culture: Kurds in Australia

This exhibition explores how the Kurdish culture has survived through adversity, invasion, and division of the Kurds’ traditional lands. Survival of a Culture: Kurds in Australia examines the traditions at the core of the Kurdish culture that have enabled it to survive, and which Kurds proudly maintain in Australia today. A variety of objects will be on display, including traditional costumes, instruments, hand-made carpets, hand-woven crafts and pewter ware.

Date: Until 25 September 2010

Winter School holiday program

Discover the history of Australia’s Muslim Cameleers at the Immigration Museum. Colour in a prayer rug to learn more about why and when prayer rugs are used. Find out why camels are able to travel through the desert when you make your own toy camel. Join a treasure hunt to locate some of the precious objects from the Muslim Cameleers exhibition.

Date: June 26 until July 11 2010

Croatian Festival

Join the Victorian Croatian community for a celebration of Croatian customs and traditions at this one day festival. Experience Croatian music and dance performances, a fashion parade, film screenings and taste the exciting flavours of Croatian cuisine.

Date: 11am – 4pm, Sunday 27 June 2010

Museum Victoria Fellowship for Talking Difference project

Museum Victoria is offering a $5,000 award for up to 2 young emerging new media artists. We are looking for innovative proposals for digital projects that can be exhibited online as part of a 3 year project called Talking Difference. The aim is to inspire conversations between and within cultures about difference and commonality. Your project could utilise any form of digital media.  It could be a short film, interactive game, online interactive artwork, digital public art project, mobile phone application… the possibilities are endless.

For more information and application form go to: http://museumvictoria.com.au/talkingdifference

Date: applications close 31 May

Talking Faiths

This exhibition documents a project involving young people exploring interfaith issues through a multicultural perspective. Encompassing students from a range of faith-based and secular Government schools, Talking Faiths features multimedia representations and photographs of the student project and artworks developed by the students as part of their conversations. This exhibition is a part of the Parliament of the World’s Religions 2009 cultural program.

Date: Until 28 May 2010

Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne.  Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm.

Admission: Adult $8, child/concession FREE. More info 13 11 02 or museumvictoria.com.au/immigration museum