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.