That’s Choice Bro, in Ultimo

Consumer Power: 50 Years of Choice is the latest exhibition to open at the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo. It sounds ace - albeit in a dorky way.

We haven’t actually seen this exhibition yet - because we’re stingy. No no no - not that stingy… you see, the thing is, we worked out that a 1-year student membership of the Powerhouse is $40. $40! Bloody oath that’s good. Museum entry is normally $10 (for adults). This Penultimite will officially be a student next year. So we’re waiting it out, for the goodness of concession prices to begin. 

So no exhibition review - but here’s part of the blurb from the Powerhouse. We liked this bit best because it uses the word shonky:

This new display explores the consumer power harnessed over 50 years through the Australian Consumers’ Association and its public face, Choice. Consumer power: 50 years of Choice looks at the role of Choice in empowering consumers to get the most out of their purchasing decisions and to demand better products and standards of service.

From humble beginnings in 1960, the membership-funded consumer organisation now has over 200 000 members and is the leading consumer advocacy group in Australia.

The display looks at the impact the organisation has made in exposing shonky products, its role in consumer advocacy and campaigning, and peeks inside the Choice testing labs.    […]

The display also takes a closer look at some everyday food items – are they really what they seem? Date stamping, ingredient labelling and nutrition information on foods is something we now take for granted, however since the 1970s Choice has campaigned for consumers to have access to this important information.

The important role of the organisation in advocacy is explored through the Bowin heater legal test case; a landmark case from the 1990s that gave Choice greater power to act on behalf of consumers.

Also, a special heads up to Paul Stein, who was  Chair of Australian Consumers’ Association - publishers of Choice Magazine (1974-1986), and Chair of the National Consumer Advisory Council to Federal Government (1987-1993). Hey Dad, are you reading the blog?