Sir Robert Menzies Oration on Higher Education
The 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.
2016
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"
2015
Professor Ian Young AO
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Australian National University
"Australia - a knowledge future"2015 Sir Robert Menzies Oration on Higher Education Australia - A knowledge future114.54 KB
2014
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, FRS
President and Vice-Chancellor
The University of Manchester, UK
"A Life In Science (and Art)"
2013
Dr Hugh Brady
President, University College DublinHigher Education: a Perspective from University College Dublin225.21 KB
2012
Professor Janice Reid AM
Vice-Chancellor, University of Western SydneyMenzies, Whitlam, and Social Justice: A View from The Academy1.19 MB
2011
Emeritus Professor Sally Walker AM
Vice-Chancellor and President,
Deakin University 2003-2010.
Former Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Melbourne2011 Sir Robert Menzies Oration on Higher Education1.72 MB
2010
Professor Glyn Davis AO
Professor of Political Science
Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Melbourne UniversityTo grow in the esteem of future generations: the Melbourne Model109.23 KB
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 UniversityUniversities: the Foundation of Civil and Successful Societies147.98 KB
2008
The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Deputy Prime Minister; Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations; Minister for Education; Minister for Social Inclusion.The Challenge for Universities in the Education Revolution35.7 KB
2007
Professor Arthur K C Li
Former Secretary for Education and Manpower, Hong Kong SAR GovernmentEducation: Vision and Reality106.91 KB (Microsoft Word, 116KB)
2006
Professor James Wilkinson
Director of the Derek Bok Centre for Teaching and Learning,
Harvard UniversityUndergraduate Education: What Good Is It? An International Perspective217.67 KB
2005
Professor Peter McPhee
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic),
University of MelbourneFaces in the Crowd? The 'Melbourne Experience' past, present, future1.58 MB
2004
Professor Stephen Leeder
Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of SydneyGlobal Health and the Future of Academic Medicine146.5 KB
2003
Professor Alan Gilbert
Vice-Chancellor
University of MelbourneSome Heretical Ideas about Universities193.9 KB
2002
Dr Bernard Shapiro
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
McGill UniversityThe Research University: An Undergraduate Challenge94.07 KB
2001
Dr John Hood
Vice-Chancellor
University of AucklandThe Research-led University - Reflections from New Zealand134.9 KB
2000
Professor Sir Alec Broers
Vice-Chancellor
University of CambridgeUniversity Partnerships - Sustaining International Competitiveness96.81 KB
1999
His Excellency The Hon Sir Guy Green AC
Governor of TasmaniaGovernors, Democracy and the Rule of Law126.96 KB
1998
Lord Ronald Dearing
Chancellor, University of NottinghamA 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