Afternoon Light

Alex McDermott on Menzies as the man who made modern Australia: "When the will is triggered"

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 and love, and their own place in 'the great procession' of our liberal democracy.
Alex McDermott is the Curator at the Robert Menzies Institute. An author, historian and Executive Producer, his passion is writing histories which tell the pivotal stories that help us understand how we came to be who we are today. He was Historical Curator for the “Democracy DNA” exhibition [2022] at the Museum of Australian Democracy, authored Australian History For Dummies [2022] and various commissioned histories which explore the crucial role played by civic associations in Australia’s democratic history, such as Of no personal influence: how people of common enterprise unexpectedly shaped Australia [2015] to mark the 175th anniversary of Australian Unity. Across more than two decades as public historian he has contributed his expertise to Screen Australia, State Library of Victoria, La Trobe University, the Institute of Public Affairs, Channel 7, SBS, ABC, Sky News Documentaries and many other organisations.
USTCBHCHKTWHKOQ8

Rohan Howitt on how Australia once dreamed of an Antarctic Empire: "Tremendous opportunities down there"

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 Monash University. His research focuses on the interconnected histories of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. His work has been published in leading scholarly journals such as Australian Historical Studies, History Compass, and The Journal of Global History. The Southern Frontier is his first book.
FU8WDEIK42LNDPMZ

Tania Ragusa on the challenges & rewards of teaching Australian history: "My favourite part"

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 their quest to inform and inspire a new generation to embrace our nation's story and their own place within it.
Tania Ragusa is a History, English and Religion Teacher at Mercy College, Coburg. A school which recently ‘made the switch’ to teaching VCE Australian History.
15XUKCKANYOGSSSM

Sarah Irving-Stonebraker on the devastating effects of our Ahistoric Age: "Embedded in larger stories"

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 current anxieties.
Sarah Irving-Stonebraker is Associate Professor of History and Western Civilisation at Australian Catholic University in North Sydney, which is part of the Ramsay Centre’s Western Civilisation Program. She previously served as co-editor of the Journal of Religious History (2021-2024). She is the author of Natural Science and the Origins of the British Empire and Priests of History: Stewarding the Past in an Ahistoric Age.
NNPPB2CFCOFLNVQV

Jesse Clark on the Anglosphere's past, present & future: "Unique political culture"

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 each is currently grappling with.
Dr Jesse Clark is an Australian political scientist based in Denver Colorado. He has a PhD from the University of Adelaide, for which his thesis explored ‘Network Homogenisation and Party Disengagement: The Political Sociology of Post-Industrial Democracies’. His recent research interest has been on developing a comparative history of Anglosphere political development.
WRMLEVZMXRAATLHA

Kylie Moore-Gilbert on the nature of the Iranian regime & conflict: "The desire to build a better Iran"

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 background in Middle East political science. In 2022 she published a bestselling memoir titled The Uncaged Sky: My 804 Days in an Iranian Prison. She has written for local and international media including The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Saturday Paper, The Australian Financial Review, The National, iNews, CNN, Foreign Policy and The Atlantic, and have been profiled by outlets including The New York Times, 60 Minutes, Sky News and Australian Story. She campaigns for democracy and human rights in Iran, and advocates for other victims of state hostage-taking via the Australian Wrongful and Arbitrary Detention Alliance.
QCFNJW0VSUZNHNIQ

Amanda Laugesen on telling Australia's story through the evolution of our language: "Tell you something about the Australian psyche"

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 director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre at ANU and chief editor of the Australian National Dictionary: Australian words and their origins. She has published extensively on US and Australian history. Her most recent book is Australia in 100 Words (2024).
BWDXTPSX5D3KJ8CQ

Xiaoxi Cui on understanding Menzies's approach to the Suez Crisis | 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 Xiaoxi Cui on the topic 'Suez and the shadow of the last war'.
The Menzies Early Career Network (MECN) is a flagship program of the Robert Menzies Institute, designed to identify, nurture, and connect a new generation of emerging leaders with a deep understanding of Australia’s national story.
GPV4RBMJ1HBJZNZU

Molly Doran on the centrality of the family in Menzies's political philosophy | 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 Network (MECN) is a flagship program of the Robert Menzies Institute, designed to identify, nurture, and connect a new generation of emerging leaders with a deep understanding of Australia’s national story.
VOLPQTSVYBH4H60L

Ethan Westwood on Menzies's denunciation of 'false values' | 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 Ethan Westwood on the topic 'Beyond money, notoriety, applause'.
The Menzies Early Career Network (MECN) is a flagship program of the Robert Menzies Institute, designed to identify, nurture, and connect a new generation of emerging leaders with a deep understanding of Australia’s national story.
VYYBRLGHKLHINUQY