From ceramic cockatoos and hand-painted china to splendid silverware and historic paintings, Collecting for the Nation illustrates a broad sweep of Australian history and culture through the stories of the artworks in The Australiana Fund's unique collection. Written by Australia's most respected authors on architecture, art and decorative arts and design, Collecting for the Nation opens the doors of Australia's four state houses - the vice-regal residences of Government House and Admiralty House and, the prime ministerial residences of The Lodge and Kirribilli House. The Australiana Fund's collection is a 'working collection' selected to be both beautiful and useful - and all objects highlight an aspect of Australia's cultural heritage, and bring to life the intertwined stories of the houses and the people who lived in them. Sales Points A beautifully produced, large format hardcover book created by the Australiana Fund and to be launched by the Governor-General Features a rare collection of quintessentially Australian objects and art, from ceramic cockatoos and hand-painted china to splendid silverware and historic paintings A national compendium that provides a wide-ranging view of Australian life, from the Wedgwood medallion of Captain James Cook to Uta Uta Tjangala's untitled Pintupi masterpiece. Provides a fascinating peek inside four of Australia's official establishments - Government House and The Lodge, Canberra; Admiralty House and Kirribilli House, Sydney