Since its founding in 1977 the Australian Army Museum of WA has relied on the generosity and commitment of everyday Australians. Then as now, Australians have understood the need for the preservation of those objects that would help all generations remember, interpret, and understand the Australian experience of war. The Museum’s collection now holds several thousand items that continue to tell an important part of the story of what it means to be Australian.

We are unable to accept all items into the Collection. In developing acquisition policies, the Museum curators must address issues such as relevance to collection policy, existing collection holdings, available storage space, and available staff resources. This means that after careful assessment by our curators, we must sometimes decline offers of donation. The Museum is staffed by Volunteer’s part time and it can take some time before a decision is made to accept or decline a donation.

Please only bring items to the Museum once instructed by the Curatorial team. Please refer to the checklist below to ensure that the necessary information is available, and then use our online form.

Fill out the online donation form

1. Can you describe the item?
2. Do you know who it relates to?
3. Are there any stories related to it?
4. Why do you think the Museum is the most appropriate place for your item?
5. Where did you get it?
6. Can you confirm you are the legal owner* and would be happy to transfer permanent legal ownership to the Australian Army Museum of WA?
7. If you have multiple items, can you describe the number or volume of the material?
8. Can you provide a digital image of it?

*Legal owner means having ownership of the physical item.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept everything that is offered to us. We have particular collecting priorities, and some areas of our collection are already well developed. If we already hold good examples of an object, we are unlikely to accept more.

We cannot accept material where current ownership is unknown or might be disputed.

We strongly recommend you talk with your family before you offer material to the Museum. Their wishes may need to be considered before you proceed.

A donation is finalised by the donor signing a Donation Form. This is a legal document that transfers ownership of the item to the Australian Army Museum of WA. Once a donation is finalised, it can only be returned in exceptional circumstances.

We seek to collect original items that relate to Western Australians involvement in the Army, or the Army’s experience in WA from the nineteenth century to the present day. We have strong interest in all items that have stories associated with them or are closely linked to people or events including equipment, objects, photographs, letters, diaries, and souvenirs.

Collection areas we want to develop

1. Representation of women who have served in the Army, including peacekeeping exercises from Vietnam to the present day
2. Australian involvement in and experience of the Korean War and Gulf Wars
3. Personal letters, diaries, audio-visual records, and mementos relating to modern conflicts
4. Material relating to Western Australian Indigenous military service and experience of conflict
5. Oral history interviews with current and recent serving veterans
6. Material relating to Australian involvement in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions

What we do not collect

1. Secondary source research material
2. Reproductions of artworks
3. Copies of items already in the Museum collection
4. Copies of material in other public institutions, including service records
5. Commercially released audio-visual material
6. Material that cannot be connected to Australian experience
7. Medal ribbon bars
8. Family histories without substantial military content

What happens to items not accepted?

Any items not accepted will be returned to the donor. The Museum is unable to dispose of any items on the donor’s behalf.

What happens to the material I donate?

Items accepted by the Museum will be assessed and housed in specialist, secure storage, in accordance with the Museum’s collection documentation and preservation policies.

Donors and their families are welcome to visit to view donated items. We ask for two weeks’ notice of intended visits to allow for items in storage to be retrieved, to ensure that items are not undergoing conservation work during visits, and to ensure that staff members are available. Please contact us to make an appointment to view items.

How can I get my memorabilia to the Museum?

An online donation form will need to be submitted and assessed by staff before a donation appointment can be made. A member of the Donations team will confirm an appointment once the process is complete. Our offer of donation form can be found here. To ensure we are able to meet with you, at least two weeks’ notice is required.

Please only send items to the Museum once instructed by the Donations team.

The Museum reserves the right to return any unsolicited donations without first receiving an offer of donation form.

If you have offered material for donation, our staff will be in touch with you to discuss the delivery options available. Methods can vary based on the items being donated, and the location of the items.

Can I visit the Museum and meet with someone to discuss my donation?

Owing to the number of enquiries we receive; we cannot guarantee that staff will be available to meet with visitors who arrive without an appointment.

We ask all donors to submit an offer of donation form before visiting the Museum. To ensure we are able to meet with you, at least two weeks’ notice is required.

Our staff are available to meet donors on Thursdays, between 9.30 am and 12.00 pm; staff are not available on weekends or public holidays.

Will my donation go on display?

We cannot guarantee that donated items will be exhibited at the Museum. The Museum’s collection is large, and only a small proportion is on display at any one time.

Can I offer items as a loan?

The Museum does not accept items on loan from the General public.

I think my relative donated material to the Museum in the past. How can I find out about this?

Please contact us regarding the donation. We will need to know what you the items are, who they relate to, the full name of the donor, when they were donated and the donation number if known.

Can I bequest my memorabilia to the Museum?

You may wish to leave significant items or funds to the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia in your will. In some cases, the federal government also offers taxation benefits to your estate.

How do you decide what to collect?

The Museum has a comprehensive Collection Development Plan that indicates the Museum’s collecting aims and priorities, organised by conflict.

I’m having difficulty using your online form. Is there an alternative?

If you are having difficulty, you can contact curator2@armymuseumwa.com.au