Melbourne exhibition features iconic rock’n’roll artifacts after Powerhouse declines participation
Sydney’s missed opportunity to acquire Midnight Oil drummer and songwriter Rob Hirst’s drum kit through a charity auction has turned into a triumph for Melbourne as the Australian Music Vault welcomes this significant piece of rock memorabilia. Hirst decided to part with his cherished drum kit, which he used from 1979 until the band’s farewell concert in 2022, due to his battle with pancreatic cancer. The kit was purchased by a fan club for $77,500 and is now on its way to Melbourne after the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney declined to bid on it, citing misalignment with their acquisition processes.
The fan group, Powderworkers, secured the drum kit after reaching out to various institutions for matching donations. Matthew Yau, who led the campaign, gathered pledges ranging from $20 to $5000 from supporters worldwide, ensuring that the drum kit would be shared with the public rather than kept hidden in a shed. The proceeds from the auction will go towards supporting First Nations musicians and crew members who have fallen on hard times. Yau expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the importance of making the drum kit accessible to all music enthusiasts.
Despite Midnight Oil being a Sydney-based band, the Powerhouse Museum decided to pass on acquiring the drum kit, stating that it did not align with their current collection priorities, which focus mainly on young performers from multicultural communities in western Sydney. This decision has sparked debate over the museum’s cultural direction, especially following the demolition of AC/DC members Angus and Malcolm Young’s childhood home in Burwood last year. The drum head to the same Ludwig kit, donated by Hirst, is already in the museum’s possession, featuring the band’s name in the iconic style seen on Midnight Oil’s 1987 album Diesel and Dust.
In addition to the drum kit, the Powerhouse Museum also houses Doc Martens worn by Hirst, as well as a sleeveless cotton jacket he modified by ripping off the sleeves and dyeing it blue. The museum emphasized its commitment to preserving Australia’s music history, showcasing artefacts, objects, and archives related to legendary Australian artists. While the museum acknowledges Midnight Oil’s significant impact on Australian music, the drum kit did not fit into their acquisition timeline, although they stated that they would be honored to accept it as a donation should the opportunity arise in the future.