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.

What a delight to have the students of John Monash School, Mentone Grammar, Avila College Melbourne and Caulfield Gramma...
05/09/2026

What a delight to have the students of John Monash School, Mentone Grammar, Avila College Melbourne and Caulfield Grammar School participate in our first ever Barton Parliamentary Competition held at the museum today.

The teams of students will debate, amend and consider three legislations, and the winning team will be judged on the their research, creative and critical thinking and ability to present their ideas.

The aim of the program is to deepen the understanding of Australian students of how our parliamentary democracy operates. And because we are a history institute, one of the legislations is a historic bill, so that students are required to place themselves in the shoes of our political forefathers and understand the challenges they faced.

Thank you Per Vocem Vita - you have been a fantastic partners in putting together this program.

We can’t wait to find out the winners!

04/09/2026

In case you missed it make sure to tune into the newest podcast episode of Afternoon Light with Belinda Murrell!

Listen here: https://zurl.co/Ew3VG

Just TWO WEEKS until our Annual Oration & Dinner, with Andrew Roberts, Lord Roberts of Belgravia.We are delighted to wel...
03/09/2026

Just TWO WEEKS until our Annual Oration & Dinner, with Andrew Roberts, Lord Roberts of Belgravia.

We are delighted to welcome Lord Roberts, one of the world’s greatest historians, to speak on “One Soaring Imagination: The Destiny of the English-Speaking Peoples in the Twenty-First Century."

At a time when liberal democracy is under pressure, alliances are being tested, and confidence in the institutions of freedom can no longer be taken for granted, Lord Roberts will ask what responsibilities now fall upon countries such as Australia, Britain and the United States: “Can we recover the imagination, courage and conviction needed to defend the free society in the twenty-first century?”

Your ticket includes canapés commencing at 6.30pm, followed by a three-course meal with drinks in the luxury surroundings of the Park Hyatt Ballroom in the Melbourne C*D.

Don't wait - spots are limited and filling fast. Be sure to book your ticket today for what promises to be a memorable evening of history and national reflection.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1599617

On this day, 3 September 1939, Prime Minister Robert Menzies tells the Australian people that they are at war with N**i ...
03/09/2026

On this day, 3 September 1939, Prime Minister Robert Menzies tells the Australian people that they are at war with N**i Germany, plunging the nation into a new global conflict scarcely two decades after the previous one had ended.

At 9.15pm, broadcast on every national and commercial radio station in Australia, Menzies sombrely addressed his audience of ‘Fellow Australians, it is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that, in consequence of the persistence of Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her, and that, as a result, Australia is also at war.’

To read more about this day, visit our webpage: https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/on-this-day/menzies-announces-war

Explore behind the scenes of Belinda Murrell’s new historical fiction novel: ‘The Hidden War’ in this week’s episode of ...
02/09/2026

Explore behind the scenes of Belinda Murrell’s new historical fiction novel: ‘The Hidden War’ in this week’s episode of Afternoon Light.

Listen here: https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/podcast/belinda-murrell

The award-winning author discusses her writing process and the importance of bringing to life pivotal moments of Australian history, like ANZUS, for young Australian readers.

The 2026 Robert Menzies Institute Annual Oration and Dinner is fast approaching. Join us on Thursday 17 September 2026 a...
02/09/2026

The 2026 Robert Menzies Institute Annual Oration and Dinner is fast approaching.

Join us on Thursday 17 September 2026 at the Park Hyatt Ballroom in Melbourne from 6:30pm to 10:30pm for what promises to be a memorable evening of history and national reflection.

It is our pleasure to welcome Andrew Roberts, Lord Roberts of Belgravia, to speak at our Oration on “One Soaring Imagination: The Destiny of the English-Speaking Peoples in the Twenty-First Century." Lord Roberts is one of the world's greatest historians - he has written 21 books which have been translated into 28 languages and has won 13 literary prizes.

At a time when liberal democracy is under pressure, alliances are being tested, and confidence in the institutions of freedom can no longer be taken for granted, Lord Roberts will ask what responsibilities now fall upon countries such as Australia, Britain and the United States: “Can we recover the imagination, courage and conviction needed to defend the free society in the twenty-first century?”

Your ticket includes canapés commencing at 6.30pm, followed by a three-course meal with drinks in the luxury surroundings of the Park Hyatt Ballroom in the Melbourne C*D.

BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1599617

On this day, 1 September 1951, the Menzies Government signed the ANZUS Treaty, forming a defensive pact with the United ...
01/09/2026

On this day, 1 September 1951, the Menzies Government signed the ANZUS Treaty, forming a defensive pact with the United States of America and New Zealand.

The treaty stated that ‘each party recognises that an armed attack in the Pacific area on any of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes’.

Formed in the specific circumstances of the Cold War, ANZUS has endured vast shifts in geopolitical circumstances to remain a vital and living document. Though New Zealand has had a rocky relationship with the treaty, for Australia it has stood the test of time and remains the cornerstone of our strategic defence after 70 years.

In his farewell press conference in 1966 Menzies reflected that ‘If I were asked which was the best single step that had been taken in the time of my Government I think I would say the ANZUS Treaty’.

To read more about this day, visit our page: https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/on-this-day/anzus-treaty-signed

TOMORROW IN SYDNEY!Join us in commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the ANZUS Treaty with two special gue...
31/08/2026

TOMORROW IN SYDNEY!

Join us in commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the ANZUS Treaty with two special guests: Allegra Spender and Steven Marshall AO.

The commemoration is also part of our book launch of The Hidden War, by award-winning children's author Belinda Murrell. The Hidden War is a historical fiction that recounts the signing of the Treaty.

The event will include drinks and canapes. This is your LAST CHANCE to book a ticket.

TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/commemorating-the-75th-anniversary-of-the-anzus-treaty-tickets-1996424153385

If you’ve registered, we can’t wait to see you tomorrow!

27/08/2026

Here’s a sneak peek of our upcoming episode of the Afternoon Light podcast with award-winning children’s book author Belinda Murrell, discussing the new historical fiction “The Hidden War”.

The novel brings the signing of the ANZUS Treaty to life, told through the eyes of 15-year-old John Spender (the son of the architect of the ANZUS Treaty, Sir Percy Spender): he would himself go on to become a barrister, politician and diplomat.

If you are in Sydney on 1 September, be sure to join us for a special book launch event of “The Hidden War” and to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty. Reserve your ticket now, as the event is next week!

TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/commemorating-the-75th-anniversary-of-the-anzus-treaty-tickets-1996424153385

Our Afternoon Light podcast episode with Belinda Murrell will go live 3 September, available on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

How did a person of Chinese descent rise to become one of the nation’s top barristers at the height of the white Austral...
26/08/2026

How did a person of Chinese descent rise to become one of the nation’s top barristers at the height of the white Australia policy?

Click to listen: https://zurl.co/zJIdD

Professor Andrew Godwin tells an astounding multicultural success story that long predates the very concept of multiculturalism. Offering lessons on integration and the process of ‘becoming Australian’, by shedding light on the life and times of Menzies’s friend and contemporary, William Ah Ket.

Address

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

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm

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