Canberra, 16 January 1952
185. PRIORITY
For External. Your 135.1
The Australian exhibition at Colombo will cover an area of 5000 square feet. Its theme will be that of the Colombo Plan, namely friendship, cooperation, cultural and technical assistance, and trade.
It will show by media of films, illustrations, photographs and models Australia’s achievements in relation to the needs of Asia.
Thirty five moving picture films have been selected for display to visitors and 170 still photographs will be used as part of the exhibition’s message.
Ninety five Australian manufacturers have supplied goods for display, thus illustrating the growth of Australian industries and her general economic development. To emphasise this development the central piece for the exhibition is to be a Nene jet engine manufactured in an Australian aircraft works.
The complete exhibit was prefabricated in Australia to the design of leading Australian designers.
[NAA: A4534, 44/13 part 2]
1 10 January. The High Commissioner in London requested a short description of the Australian pavilion at the forthcoming Colombo exhibition for a press release.