John Curtin believed that education should be available to all and that universities should be firmly focussed on the future. These values resonate strongly with the university named after Australia's war time prime minister in its vision to be a leading university in education and research.

The exhibition explores John Curtin’s own education and the initiatives of his war time government in furthering tertiary education and research, noting the passionate commitment of John Curtin to education and the pursuit of knowledge.