They're the national treasures kept safe inside The Lodge and Canberra's Government House.
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Artworks, furniture, memorabilia, ceramics and silverware cared for by the Australiana Fund and on show at the official residences of the Australian prime minister and governor-general have been showcased in a new book.
The landmark volume Collecting for the Nation: The Australiana Fund documents the provenance, history and restoration of the collection, established by Tamie Fraser, wife of former prime minister Malcolm Fraser.
Launched last month at a special event with Curtis Sandberg of Washington DC's White House Historical Association, the book includes a detailed history of the architectural development of the two Canberra properties as well as Sydney's Kirribilli House and Admiralty House.
When her family moved into The Lodge, Mrs Fraser famously observed "there was not even a salad bowl of Gough Whitlam's". Inspired by Jacqueline Kennedy's careful restoration of the White House more than a decade earlier, she set about creating a fine permanent collection to reflect history and traditions of Australian art, design and politics.
Mrs Fraser travelled to Washington in 1976, meeting Clement Conger, the curator of the White House diplomatic rooms, and became the first president of the Australiana Fund to furnish the Official Residences in 1978.
A range of antique and original furniture, a world class collection of art and unique items connected with prime ministers, governor-generals and their families now decorate the working homes.
The book includes essays and detailed descriptions of the works, and background to the fund's mission and legacy.
Among items on show inside Government House at Yarralumla are a Doulton & Company vase with floral gum decoration created by Louise Bilton, 1887, and a 2006 Sturt Desert Pea vase by Amanda Louden.
The book will be on sale at Yarralumla on Saturday as Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove host the home's 2017 open day.
The free event will include tours of the historic residence and a picnic on the famous lawn. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, with some limited public parking along Dunrossil Drive and parking attendants on hand to assist.
The open day runs from 11am until 2pm.
In August, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull established a new official residences advisory committee, chaired by environmental and planning lawyer David O'Donnell.
The body will advise the government on future conservation and improvements to the properties, with a membership of architectural and heritage experts.
The committee held its first meeting last month, and a nominee from the Australian Institute of Architects is expected to be named as a new member to the group.
