Robert Menzies Institute

There could be no better place to house this prestigious Institute than the Old Quad, the historic heart of the University of Melbourne’s main campus, where Sir Robert honed his philosophy of public life as a student more than a century ago.

Forty-nine years after his graduation ceremony, his public life ended at the university where he served as Chancellor from 1967 to 1972.

The university is already home to Sir Robert Menzies’ personal book collection, notebooks and memorabilia.

The Institute will:

• Curate Sir Robert’s papers, books and other significant items including 3,800 items already held by the University.

• Create a digital hub for researchers.

• Host visits by schools and develop curricula.

• Become a centre for research into Australian liberal democracy with a series of visiting professors.

• Organise public lectures, discussions and exhibitions.

Renovations of the East Wing of the University Quad, where the RMI will be housed, is expected to be completed in the second half of 2021. In the meantime the Institute has established a temporary office in the West Wing.

The establishment of the institute will ensure that Sir Robert’s accomplishments and the philosophy behind them is more widely understood. There will be a particular focus on his dedication to higher education and the reforms that extended the opportunity of enrolment to every Australian.

governance

The Institute is governed by a board of distinguished Australians and funded by public support, including $7m in Commonwealth funding.

Board of Directors

Mr Leigh Clifford AO (Chairman)

Prof Su Baker AM

Ms Peta Credlin

Prof Ian Harper AO

Mr Geoffrey Hone

The Hon Dr David Kemp AC

Executive Director

Ms Georgina Downer

Quotes from the mrc and university of melbourne

acknowledgements

The Menzies Research Centre gratefully acknowledges the generosity of its Robert Menzies Institute Foundation Donors without whose support this project would not have been possible.