Afternoon Light
Welcome to the Afternoon Light Podcast, a captivating journey into the heart of Australia’s political history and enduring values. Presented by the Robert Menzies Institute, a prime ministerial library and museum, this podcast illuminates the remarkable legacy of Sir Robert Menzies, Australia’s longest-serving prime minister. Dive into the rich tapestry of Menzies’s contemporary impact as we explore his profound contributions on the Afternoon Light Podcast. Join us as we delve into his unyielding commitment to equality, boundless opportunity, and unwavering entrepreneurial spirit. Our engaging discussions bring to life the relevance of Menzies’s values in today’s world, inspiring us to uphold his principles for a brighter future. Ready to embark on this enlightening journey? Experience the Afternoon Light Podcast now! Tune in to explore the past, engage with the present, and shape a better tomorrow by learning from the visionary leadership of Sir Robert Menzies. Stay connected by signing up on the Robert Menzies Institute website: https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/. Have an opinion? Email your comments to: info@robertmenziesinstitute.org.au.
Episodes
How old is the sordid Australian phenomenon of 'trial by media'?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with renowned biographer Patrick Mullins about federation era lawyer and politician Richard Meagher. A man who sold his soul and reputation, then spent decades desperately trying to claw them back. His story has remarkable parallels with the defamation cases and news sensations of today, revealing deep seated...
Why might your religious affiliation determine which political party you were likely to vote for?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Jeff Kildea to chart the rise and demise of the Catholic-Labor alliance. One of the defining features of Australian politics for much of the 20th century, it did much to shape our political history, reveal the limits of Australian pluralism, and ultimately entrench the el...
How can you capture Sir Robert's life and legacy in just two rooms?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Alex McDermott, the curator of the Robert Menzies's Institute's latest and greatest museum exhibit, about the process of distilling Menzies's story into a message of inspiration for a general audience. Giving them an appreciation of the man, his role in fostering the Australian way of life we all know...
Has the Southern Hemisphere always been viewed as the 'bottom' of the globe?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Rohan Howitt to explore how Antarctica shaped Australia's economic history and cultural imagination. As generations of politicians, explorers and entrepreneurs dreamed of turning Australia's southern frontier into an empire of our own.
Rohan Howitt is a lecturer in environmental history at Mo...
How do we get high school students excited about Australian history?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Tania Ragusa to unpack why fewer and fewer high schools now teach Australian history at the year 11 & 12 level, and offer crucial insights as to what we can do to reverse the trend. Looking beyond simplistic culture war denunciations, to reveal how teachers are confronting real challenges in thei...
Does a well-developed 'sense of history' help provide people with a sense of purpose and wellbeing?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Sarah Irving-Stonebraker to unpack the causes and effects of the modern world's historical amnesia. Revealing how our 'ahistoric age' cuts individuals off from their roots, robs them of their place in a broader story, and may even be an unrecognised cause of many of our...
Are the destinies of English-speaking nations intrinsically linked?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Jesse Clark to dissect what the term 'Anglosphere' actually means. Debating the similarities and differences between the various English-speaking liberal democracies that have emerged from the Westminster tradition, how relevant the grouping remains, and what lays behind the populist political trend e...
How would an Australian cope with being locked up in an Iranian prison?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Kylie Moore-Gilbert about the conflict in Iran and her own personal experience with the Iranian regime. After 804 days in incarceration, she offers insights that few other Australians could imagine (or would want to imagine).
Kylie Moore-Gilbert is an Australia-based academic with a research backg...
What can you tell about a country through the words it invents?
On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with lexicographer Amanda Laugesen to tell Australia's story in 100 words. From bushmen to Sheilas, and larrikins to wowsers, it will change your perspective on the Australian language and make you appreciate the uniqueness of our culture.
Amanda Laugesen is a historian, lexicographer, and author. She is ...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Xiaoxi Cui on the topic 'Suez and the shadow of the last war'.
The Menzies Early Career Network...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Molly Doran on the topic 'Understanding families as homes human'.
The Menzies Early Career Netw...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Ethan Westwood on the topic 'Beyond money, notoriety, applause'.
The Menzies Early Career Netwo...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Aryan Ilkhani on the topic 'Two conceptions of the rule of law'.
The Menzies Early Career Netwo...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Jamie Robbins on the topic 'Shaping of the Cabinet'.
The Menzies Early Career Network (MECN) is...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Chantal Moore on the topic 'Ancient lessons for modern democracy'.
The Menzies Early Career Net...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Fiona Duncan on the topic 'Attorney-General versus Friends of the Soviet Union'.
The Menzies Ea...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Charlie Hume on the topic 'A prime minister’s American odyssey'.
The Menzies Early C...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Axel Melkonian on the topic 'Political pragmatism and post-war German immigrants'.
The Men...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Mary Coleman on the topic 'Civic Virtue in a Technological Age'.
The Menzies Early Career ...
In this special series of the Afternoon Light podcast Georgina Downer speaks with participants from the Menzies Early Career Network to discuss their chapters in the new book, Menzies Rediscovered: A new generation’s inspiration for political philosophy, domestic challenges and foreign affairs.
In this episode, Georgina speaks with Pablo Avaria-Jimenez on the topic 'Blueprint for middle-power statecraft'.
The Menzies Ear...
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