175 Years of AMP

On 31 August 1848 a group of prominent businessmen met in Sydney to discuss the formation of an organisation to provide life assurance to Australians. The proposed mutual society would provide a way for Australians to protect their livelihoods and families, as well as plan for their old age, at a time when there was no government welfare or superannuation. This organisation would be known as the Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP).

Life assurance as a form of protection had not yet been developed in Australia and it was quite a risk for AMP to take. Although the life assurance industry was flourishing overseas, in Australia in 1848 life was hazardous and there was no reliable mortality data to rely upon. 

From very humble beginnings operating out of a small office above a grocer's shop on Sydney's George Street, AMP would revolutionise the insurance industry. It would become the most successful insurance business in Australia, with offices across the nation, as well as in New Zealand, Asia and the United Kingdom. 

175 Years of AMP tells the story of one of the oldest companies in Australia, with a history not only in insurance, but broader financial services, agriculture and real estate. The exhibition explores the Society's history through a selection of archival photographs, publications, posters, drawings and papers held in the Noel Butlin Archives Centre.  

A key resource used in researching this exhibition was 'A History of the AMP 1824-1994' by renowned historian Geoffrey Blainey. This book is the definitive history of the Society and we gratefully acknowledge the work of the author.