When Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in South Australia on 9 March 1986, it was anything but smooth sailing.
The royal party was supposed to disembark the HMY Britannia via the jetty at Glenelg, but windy weather and r
ough seas made the landing too dangerous and the vessel was diverted to the more sedate – but possibly less glamorous – waters of Outer Harbor.
Once safely ashore, though, the Queen and Prince Philip wasted no time in meeting the people of South Australia, a state that was celebrating its 150th Jubilee.
There was dinner with the Governor and Lady Dunstan, a viewing of the Sir Hans Heysen Collection and unveiling of a statue of Sir Robert Helpmann, and even a visit to Aberfoyle Park High School.
But there was one event that is still thrilling South Australians, and that was the official opening of Carrick Hill as a historic house museum, art gallery and garden.
In the 40 years since that historic day the Springfield estate has welcomed 
generations of visitors to explore its remarkable collections and grounds.
And now visitors can get an even deeper understanding of Carrick Hill and its history through an exhibition called Out of the Archive which brings rarely seen objects and artworks into view, including fragile pieces, unusual items, and works with complex or sensitive histories.
Drawn largely from the Hayward's1983 bequest, alongside later donations, this exhibition celebrates the depth of the collection and the enduring legacy of Sir Edward and Lady Ursula Hayward, who gifted the property to the people of South Australia.
And there is also a very special opportunity to join curator Ellen Whitton for an inspiring inside tour of the exhibition on 18 March.
Discover the rich history and compelling stories behind the artworks, as Ellen shares insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives that bring the collection to life.
For more information on the exhibition and the tour, click here (external site).
