Robert Menzies Institute

Robert Menzies Institute The Robert Menzies Institute is a prime ministerial library and museum established to honour Australia’s longest-serving Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies.

Our mission is to uphold and promote Sir Robert’s legacy and vision for Australia.

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for Afternoon Light Live with Professor Michael Wesley, discussing his lat...
19/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for Afternoon Light Live with Professor Michael Wesley, discussing his latest Quarterly Essay, Blind Spot: Southeast Asia and Australia's Future.

Are we holding fast to assumptions about global stability and Australia's place within it? And what are the implications for Australia as we seek to maintain a seat at the table in an increasingly uncertain and contested world?

As is often the case with our after Afternoon Light Lives, we can leave with plenty of difficult questions. But such is the nature of wrestling with challenging questions and the complexities of the world around us.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to an engaging afternoon of ideas and conversation.

Watch back Michael Wesley's episode here: https://zurl.co/ckG8t

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It was a real pleasure to welcome current and former residents of Jeparit (Robert Menzies's birthplace) for a special ex...
12/06/2026

It was a real pleasure to welcome current and former residents of Jeparit (Robert Menzies's birthplace) for a special exhibition visit of Robert Menzies: The Man Who Made Modern Australia. Thank you Jeparit and District Historical Society for organising the visit.

Our exhibition curator Alex McDermott and assistant curator Victoria Hronas took them around, and thank you to our guests for sharing your stories and memories of Jeparit.

We are all so grateful to those whose stories, knowledge, and contributions helped shape the development of the exhibition, bringing Jeparit's history and community spirit to life, and honor the birthplace of Australia's longest-serving PM.

Discover the stories yourself by visiting the museum!

Australia's liberal democracy is being taken for granted. From classrooms and university lecture theatres to public even...
09/06/2026

Australia's liberal democracy is being taken for granted.

From classrooms and university lecture theatres to public events across the country, the Robert Menzies Institute is helping to strengthen the ideas, institutions and values that underpin a free society.

This End of Financial Year, your support helps make that work possible. Every donation helps us educate, engage and inspire the next generation of Australians.

Donate before 30 June here: https://zurl.co/ivnTj

Get in now! Applications to the prestigious Menzies Early Career Network (MECN) 2026 close on 31 May.MECN gives universi...
22/05/2026

Get in now! Applications to the prestigious Menzies Early Career Network (MECN) 2026 close on 31 May.

MECN gives university students the opportunity to study Australia’s political, strategic, and intellectual history – under the mentorship of experts – become a published author and discuss your work on the podcast, Afternoon Light.
Here’s what Pablo Avaria, a 2025 MECN participant, to say:

“The Menzies Early Career Network provided a rare platform to engage deeply with Australia’s strategic history while developing a sharper understanding of contemporary trade and policy challenges. I especially valued meeting everyone in person, learning about their chapter projects, and building lasting relationships through MECN.”

Interested in joining the 2026 MECN program, find out more: https://zurl.co/rLoU7


The University of Melbourne UNSW University of Sydney The Australian National University Monash University The University of Queensland The University of Western Australia The University of Adelaide

It was wonderful to see contributors, supporters, members, students and familiar faces at the Institute last night as we...
21/05/2026

It was wonderful to see contributors, supporters, members, students and familiar faces at the Institute last night as we celebrated the launch of The Menzies Legacy - the final book in our landmark four-part history of Sir Robert Menzies and his world.

It was especially fitting to mark the occasion at the University of Melbourne with Professor Glyn Davis AC, Interim Vice-Chancellor, whose reflections captured the significance of the project and the enduring relevance of the Menzies era to Australia today.

This series has brought together some of Australia’s leading historians, thinkers and public figures to examine the ideas, institutions and leadership that helped shape modern Australia. Last night was a celebration of that remarkable collective effort.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a memorable evening!

See the speeches from last night here: https://zurl.co/ZNeaI

Buy your copy of The Menzies Legacy here: https://zurl.co/lCbZZ

With his forceful budget reply, Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor MP has staked his position on how a liberal econom...
21/05/2026

With his forceful budget reply, Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor MP has staked his position on how a liberal economy operates offering an alternative vision for young and old Australians.

On Wednesday 27 May, he will broaden the discussion by delivering a speech on what ‘liberal values’ mean in contemporary Australia and why only liberal philosophy can deliver a prosperous, free and socially cohesive Australia.

Occasion: Book Launch of Menzies Rediscovered
Host: Robert Menzies Institute
Link in bio

Join us tomorrow as Professor Glyn Davis AC delivers a landmark address on the Menzian vision of liberal education. How ...
19/05/2026

Join us tomorrow as Professor Glyn Davis AC delivers a landmark address on the Menzian vision of liberal education. How can we revitalize Australia’s universities at a time of profound disruption - from AI to declining public trust?

Sir Robert Menzies oversaw the establishment of six new universities and helped expand access to higher education across the country. His belief in liberal education shaped generations of Australian public life. What role should liberal education play in Australia’s future?

Join us at the Institute to mark the launch of the fourth and final volume in the our landmark series on the life, ideas and legacy of Robert Menzies.

Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026
Time: 5:30–7:00pm (AEDT)
Location: Robert Menzies Institute, Old Quad East Wing, University of Melbourne, Parkville

Book your ticket here: https://zurl.co/Llqrf

Happy International Museum Day!Today is about celebrating the power of museums to preserve history, inspire curiosity, a...
18/05/2026

Happy International Museum Day!

Today is about celebrating the power of museums to preserve history, inspire curiosity, and connect a wide range of communities through culture and storytelling. Thank you for being part of our own journey, here at the Institute.

Find out more about our new exhibition here: https://zurl.co/hVQ9Y

How did the small Wimmera town of Jeparit shape the roots and moral compass of Robert Menzies? How did a boy born in the...
11/05/2026

How did the small Wimmera town of Jeparit shape the roots and moral compass of Robert Menzies? How did a boy born in the town's general store possess the fire and ambition to throw himself into a life of study, debate, and public service? And what was the 'searing effect' in his upbringing that convinced him to go into Parliament, before he helped found the Liberal Party and build it into a major political force?

Join us for an Afternoon Light Live as our host Georgina Downer sits down with Alex McDermott - curator at the Robert Menzies Institute - to explore the stories behind our new exhibition: 'Robert Menzies: The Man Who Made Modern Australia'.

Alex will reflect on what he learnt through curating the exhibition, why he dedicated a room to Menzies’ formative years, and how Menzies used the tools of his age to to help build the pillars of modern Australia.

From the wheatfields of Jeparit to the international stage, this conversation will illuminate the character, convictions and vision that shaped one of Australia’s most transformative leaders.

We invite you to join us online or in person at the Institute's Museum for what promises to be a fascinating discussion and audience Q&A.

In-person event: https://zurl.co/i2QHd
Join online: https://zurl.co/53UHt

Thank you to all our members and friends who joined us last Thursday for the opening of our contemporary new exhibition ...
04/05/2026

Thank you to all our members and friends who joined us last Thursday for the opening of our contemporary new exhibition – Robert Menzies: The Man Who Made Modern Australia at our museum space in .

As Tony Abbott remarked at the opening – Robert Menzies plays a pivotal role in our national story. His genius was that he transformed Australia nationally and internationally in the 18 years he was PM, but we associate his period with unparalleled stability.

The exhibition is a fitting tribute to Robert Menzies, a transformative leader.
A big thanks to Charles Kiefel AC, whose deep generosity made this exhibition possible.

And thank you Alex McDermott and Victoria Hronas, our curatorial team – for your phenomenal vision and ex*****on of this tricky exhibition, which distils a lifetime of service into a limited museum space.

The exhibition is FREE and open to the public Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm at Robert Menzies Museum, East Wing, Old Quad, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC.

Address

Old Quad, East Wing, At The University Of Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
3010

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 2pm
Tuesday 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 10am - 2pm
Thursday 10am - 2pm

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