Print

Sir Robert Menzies Oration on Higher Education

Sir Robert Menzies Oration on Higher EducationThe Menzies Oration on Higher Education at the University of Melbourne honours the late Sir Robert Menzies, former Prime Minister of Australia. Sir Robert considered that his contribution to the development of universities might prove to be amongst the most lasting of his achievements for Australia. In recognition of this vision and in order to strengthen the role of higher education in Australia, the Menzies Foundation established in 1991 the Sir Robert Menzies Oration on Higher Education.

It is especially fitting that these annual Menzies Orations are held in partnership with the University of Melbourne, where Robert Menzies, as a leading law student, was President of the Students Representative Council in 1916, and where he served as University Chancellor in his mature years.

The theme for the Oration is higher education policy and practice in Australia both in view of its national importance and also because of Sir Robert's attachment to both the extension of higher education and the wise development of it. The intention is for each Oration to be a contribution to intellectual debate in Australia.

Baroness Valerie Amos2016

Baroness Valerie Amos CH PC
Director SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) University of London "Preparing global citizens and protecting freedom of speech: the role of universities"

pdf2016 Menzies Oration Baroness Valerie Amos: Preparing global citizens and protecting freedom of speech: the role of universities394.4 KB

Prof Ian Young2015

Professor Ian Young AO
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Australian National University
"Australia - a knowledge future"

pdf2015 Sir Robert Menzies Oration on Higher Education Australia - A knowledge future114.54 KB 

 

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell2014

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, FRS
President and Vice-Chancellor
The University of Manchester, UK
"A Life In Science (and Art)" 
 

Dr Hugh Brady and Ms Diana Menzies, granddaughter of Sir Robert Menzies. 2013

Dr Hugh Brady
President, University College Dublin
pdfHigher Education: a Perspective from University College Dublin225.21 KB  
 
 

Prof Janice Reid and Mr Brian Doyle2012

Professor Janice Reid AM
Vice-Chancellor, University of Western Sydney
pdfMenzies, Whitlam, and Social Justice: A View from The Academy1.19 MB  
 

Emeritus Professor Sally Walker AM and Brian Doyle2011

Emeritus Professor Sally Walker AM
Vice-Chancellor and President,
Deakin University 2003-2010.
Former Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Melbourne
pdf2011 Sir Robert Menzies Oration on Higher Education1.72 MB 
  

Menzies Orator, Professor Glyn Davis (right) with The Hon Mr Alex Chernov, Chancellor of the University of Melbourne. Professor Davis is holding the Menzies Medallion which was presented to him by Sir Robert’s great-grandson, Mr Robert Menzies.2010

Professor Glyn Davis AO
Professor of Political Science
Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Melbourne University
pdfTo grow in the esteem of future generations: the Melbourne Model109.23 KB 
 
 

Sir Guy Green (right) and Professor Richard Larkins holding the Menzies Medallion presented to him by Mr Alec Menzies.2009

Emeritus Professor Richard Larkins AO
Former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Melbourne University and former Vice-Chancellor of Monash University
pdfUniversities: the Foundation of Civil and Successful Societies147.98 KB   
 
 

2008 Oration: Sir Daryl Dawson with then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Julia Gillard holding the Menzies Medallion 2008

The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Deputy Prime Minister; Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations; Minister for Education; Minister for Social Inclusion.
pdfThe Challenge for Universities in the Education Revolution35.7 KB 
  

2007

Professor Arthur K C Li
Former Secretary for Education and Manpower, Hong Kong SAR Government
pdfEducation: Vision and Reality106.91 KB (Microsoft Word, 116KB)
 

2006

Professor James Wilkinson
Director of the Derek Bok Centre for Teaching and Learning,
Harvard University
pdfUndergraduate Education: What Good Is It? An International Perspective217.67 KB

2005

Professor Peter McPhee
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic),
University of Melbourne
pdfFaces in the Crowd? The 'Melbourne Experience' past, present, future1.58 MB 

2004

Professor Stephen Leeder
Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Sydney
pdfGlobal Health and the Future of Academic Medicine146.5 KB 

2003

Professor Alan Gilbert
Vice-Chancellor
University of Melbourne
pdfSome Heretical Ideas about Universities193.9 KB

2002

Dr Bernard Shapiro
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
McGill University
pdfThe Research University: An Undergraduate Challenge94.07 KB

2001

Dr John Hood
Vice-Chancellor
University of Auckland
pdfThe Research-led University - Reflections from New Zealand134.9 KB 

2000

Professor Sir Alec Broers
Vice-Chancellor
University of Cambridge
pdfUniversity Partnerships - Sustaining International Competitiveness96.81 KB 

1999

His Excellency The Hon Sir Guy Green AC
Governor of Tasmania
pdfGovernors, Democracy and the Rule of Law126.96 KB

1998

Lord Ronald Dearing
Chancellor, University of Nottingham
pdfA Time of Opportunity 47.58 KB

1997

Professor Wang Gungwu
Director, East Asia Institute,
National University of Singapore

1996

Professor Sir Stewart Sutherland
Vice-Chancellor, The University of Edinburgh

1995

Professor Brian G Wilson AO
Vice-Chancellor,
The University of Queensland

1994

The Honourable Nick Greiner AC
Former Premier of New South Wales

1993

Professor Henry Rosovsky
Harvard University

1992

Professor Emeritus Peter Karmel AC
Australian National University

1991

Professor David Penington AC
Vice-Chancellor, University of Melbourne