Stephen Murray-Smith Memorial Lecture
This annual lecture commemorates Stephen Murray-Smith’s contribution to Australian intellectual life and promotes research and debate in the broad areas of his interest and influence.
When Stephen Murray-Smith died in July 1988 he left a vast collection of personal papers and other records dating back to the 1930s. It was his wish that these papers should eventually go to the State Library of Victoria to form part of its Australian Manuscripts Collection and be freely available for future use by researchers.
The State Library was delighted to acquire the Murray-Smith papers in October 1990. They include the Overland archive, personal papers, records of the many and varied organisations with which Stephen Murray-Smith was actively involved and, to a lesser extent, papers from his academic life. These papers are an important record of the activities of one of Australia’s great intellectuals whose impact on Australian political, cultural and literary thought has been significant.
The first Stephen Murray-Smith Memorial Lecture was held in 1992. Previous lectures have been given by Geoffrey Searle, Hugh Stretton, David Williamson, Janet McCalman, Ken Inglis, Robert Manne, Barry Jones, Janet Holmes a Court, Robyn Williams, Frank Moorhouse, Julian Burnside QC, Don Watson and Phillip Adams.
Gareth Evans, former president of conflict resolution body the International Crisis Group, talks about the challenge of nuclear disarmament.
Marking the 20th anniversary of Stephen Murray-Smith's death, Stephen's friend and leading historian Geoffrey Blainey reflects on writing Australian history over the past 50 years.
Dr Tom Griffiths speaks about Stephen Murray-Smith's voyage to Antarctica and the cultural challenge of the continent of ice.
Writer and journalist Martin Flanagan discusses why some people to rise to the political challenges of their times and others fail to do so.
Former Prime Minister of Australia, The Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser AC CH, examines how democracies fight terrorism.
Broadcaster, social commentator and satirist Phillip Adams addresses contemporary issues facing Australia, such as terrorism, racism and social change.
Julian Burnside's lecture examines whether Australia has abandoned one of its core values whilst maintaining the rhetoric of a fair go for all.
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