Menzies Centre for Australian Studies

Papers of the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies including correspondence files arranged alphabetically on topics including subjects taught by the Centre; individuals including Centre staff; related organisations; courses run by the Centre and related external courses; cities and countries with which the Centre had links; and Centre scholarships. Additional correspondence can be found throuhout the collection, notably of the Australian Studies Centre Committee, 1983-1989 and on topics including setting up an Australian Studies Course in Hungary, 1992-1993; Australian studies in schools, Dec 1982-Feb 1986; a lectureship at the Centre sponsored by Monash University, 1994-1996 and the Edith Cowan Visual Arts Fellowship, 1994-1999.

Papers relating to visiting fellowships, 1983-1996, including the Northcote Visiting Scholarship, 1991-1996. Papers relating to events to celebrate the bicentennial of European settlement in Australia, 1988 including papers of the Britain-Australia Bicentennial Committee; Papers relating to the Australian Bicentennial Scholarship and Fellowship scheme to enable British graduates to study in Australia and Australian graduates to study in Britain, 1988-1999, including correspondence, terms of reference for the scheme and copy of the trust deed, 1988. Papers relating to conferences organised by the centre, 1985-1999, on topics ranging from Australian economy or Aboriginal land rights to cricket. Papers on the function and purpose of the Centre, 1982-1986; academic planning, 1982; personnel and students, 1982-1999; grants awarded by the Centre, 1984; other Australian Centres in and outside of the UK, 1982-1999; the writer in residence at the Centre, 1995; report of the Centre, 1982-1984; fundraising proposal for the Centre, 1992 and agendas for staff meetings, 1993-1995.

The Australian Studies Centre was established as part of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, Sep 1982 and received funding from the Menzies Memorial Trust and the Australian Government. It was officially opened, 7 Jun 1983. The first Head of the Centre was Professor Geoffrey Bolton; Professor Thomas Millar became Head in 1985. The Menzies Centre's object is to promote Australian studies in British and European universities and to act as an Australian cultural base in London, providing a forum for the discussion of Australian issues. In 1988 the Australian government ceased its financial support for the Centre and the Menzies Memorial Trust took up the full financing. The Centre was subsequently renamed the Sir Robert Menzies Centre for Australian Studies. The Centre moved from the Institute of Commonwealth Studies to King's College London in 1999 and was then known as the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies. At this time the Centre was endowed permenantly by the Australisn government whilst continuing to receive funds from the Menzies Foundation and Monash University.

Original order

Open although advance notice should be given. Access to individual items may be restricted under the Data Protection Act or the Freedom of Information Act. Some items are closed under the Data Protection Act. Enquiries about access should be made to the Library staff.

Received by the Institute in 2005.

Catalogued to file level (see link to repository catalogue).

Entry compiled by Sarah Drewery.

The personal papers of Tom Millar, Head of the Menzies Centre, are held at the National Library of Australia, (ref: MS 8605)

A photocopying and digitisation service is available, at the discretion of the Library staff. Copies are supplied solely for research or private study. Requests to publish, or to quote from original material should be submitted to the Information Resources Manager.

Records of the Australian Bicentennial Committee (ref: ICS 144)