If you want to add or remove your email address please notify Louise at [email protected].
In addition to the email distribution, we will publish this weekly newsletter here in the Menzies Centre WWW site.
Welcome to the first email report from the Menzies Centre for 1996. I am not David Lowe and it's a bit difficult knowing that I have to fill his (rather large) shoes. Nevermind...
I have had a few problems resurrecting David's old email list - so if you are getting this message and don't it want, please drop me a line.
This week the Centre had two visitors: Professor Tony Bennett from the Key Centre for Cultural and Media Policy, Griffith University who is conducting research in libraries around London and Dr Peter Read.
Dr Read gave the Menzies Centre's annual Trevor Reese Memorial Lecture to an audience of an estimated 100 people (the biggest audience so far...). Professor Brian Matthews chaired Dr Read's lecture, entitled 'Return of the Stolen Generations', in the Australian High Commission's lavish Downer Room. The Lecture was followed by an equally crowded reception in the Bruce Rooms. Dr Peter Read also addressed students from the MA in Understanding and Securing Human Rights, at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies.
It appears that will be the last of our visitors for a while yet.
Professor Matthews remained on the Demidenko trail reviewing the 'Demidenko File' for the Melbourne Age. The review appeared in the 7/1 Saturday edition, continuing his connection to the bizarre affair. On the same theme Professor Matthews will be giving a paper on 'Australian Literary Hoaxe' at the University of Leicester on Monday 5/2. Then he will be addressing the Australian and New Zealand graduate dinner at All Souls, Oxford the following night.
Professor Matthews has had planning discussions with the Deputy High Commissioner and Rebecca Hossack, Cultural Officer at the Australian High Commission, to arrange the 1996 programme of Literary Links. The first of these will be presented by the Professor himself on 15 February.
Meetings of the committee setting up the New and International Literatures in English MA have resumed under Professor Matthews chair, and report that the course is now being planned.
Dr Tom Griffiths has been working on the two upcoming Menzies conferences. The first, 'Aboriginal Land Rights and the Mabo Judgment' is to be held on 18-19 April. Dr Griffiths confidently said he will have a final list of speakers soon. He will be happy to send information to whoever wants it - and he can be contacted at [email protected]. The Ecology and Empire conference, 18-20 September is coming along as well - again, same email number if you want more information.
As for Mr Nick Economou, the newest arrival to the Centre, he has been busy assimilating into the British way of life by visiting various pie and mash shops around London. It is unfortunate that the office political scientist happens to be on the wrong side of the world for the upcoming federal election (March 2) so to compensate he is holding an election seminar next Wednesday (7 February) at SRMCAS. As well as Mr Economou, Dr Neal Blewett, High Commissioner and former Labor minister, and Dr David Butler, elections expert, will be speaking on both the Labor and Liberal Parties beyond the elections as well as the Australian Electoral contest. It is the final chance to hear Dr David Butler speak before he heads to Australia to monitor the electoral contest. The seminar begins at 2.30pm and costs £ 5. Mr Economou wants everyone to know that the timing of this seminar proves his ability to accurately predict election dates and outcomes.
Mr Economou has been conducting some research work for the BBC, on current trends in Australian society and politics.
And of course January has seen the beginning of Term 2, with the Menzies staff locked away writing course guides and essay questions as well as teaching.
Please contact me if you have news you would like advertised as well as comments or suggstions.
Have a nice weekend,
Louise McSeveny
SRMCAS
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