THE Magna Carta’s stint in Tenterfield has been deemed a success with law buffs and tourists flocking to the School of Arts to be part of the exhibit.
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The touring display spent three weeks in Tenterfield and was unveiled at NSW Parliament House this morning before it is whisked to the Supreme Court of Victoria in a few weeks.
“The exhibition was a success – we were thrilled to have the Tenterfield School of Arts host it in a room with such significance to the history of Australia's system of government,” Rule of Law Institute of Australia CEO Nick Clark said.
A launch event was held and attended by mayor Peter Petty and close to 40 others.
Mr Clark, who set up the exhibit, returned to Tenterfield last week to pack up and he said the reception he’d received was pleasing.
“I spoke to some out of town visitors to the museum who said they were surprised to find the museum and the Magna Carta exhibition within.
“I left around 100 poster reproductions with the museum staff, and when I returned to pack it up last week, all but 10 were gone,” he said.
School holidays meant students didn’t benefit from the exhibit but Mr Clark is hoping to turn that around.
“I am not aware of any school groups that were able to attend. We are certainly encouraging schools to visit the exhibition wherever it goes.
“We are hoping to offer schools in Tenterfield the opportunity to be part of our 2016 schools outreach program where we discuss a range of current legal issues for Legal Studies students.”
Mr Clark said he was pleased he brought the Magna Carta replica to town.
“We would love to take the exhibition to smaller towns in NSW and Queensland; however, I don’t think we’ll get a better fit than the Tenterfield School of Arts in terms of the history and significance of the place.
“It is very good to display the Magna Carta in ‘halls of power’, courthouses and parliament houses in capital cities because the document is a reminder for all those in power that they are not above the law.
“But, having it displayed in small towns, schools, or at community events is just as important because the Magna Carta has always been a starting point for discussing freedoms, rights and the way the law supports these,” Mr Clark said.
