{{Short description|Australian Prime-Ministerial Library}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}} [[File:Portrait Menzies 1950s.jpg|right|thumb|Robert Menzies]] The '''Robert Menzies Institute''' is an Australian Prime Minsterial [[Library]] and museum dedicated to the 12th and longest serving [[Prime Minister of Australia|Australian Prime Minister]], Sir [[Robert Menzies]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Robert Menzies Institute {{!}} MOAD |url=https://apm-origin.moadoph.gov.au/collections/robert-menzies-institute |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=apm-origin.moadoph.gov.au}}</ref> The Library is situated on the [[Parkville, Victoria|Parkville]] campus of the [[University of Melbourne]] since founding in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert Menzies Institute |url=https://www.menziesrc.org/robert-menzies-institute-1 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Menzies Research Centre |language=en-US}}</ref>
The University of Melbourne announced that it would house the Institute in April 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blom |first=Suzanne |date=2020-07-16 |title=Old Quad to house Robert Menzies Institute |url=https://www.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/news/old-quad-to-house-robert-menzies-institute |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Alumni & Giving |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 April 2021 |title=New Institute to honour Robert Menzies |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/new-institute-to-honour-robert-menzies/news-story/814a2697525e5f9d8957dd3581d8dbf8 |work=The Australian}}</ref> It faced resistance in the run up to its opening<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gelber |first=Katharine |date=2021-07-29 |title=Should the University of Melbourne host the Menzies Institute? The answer hinges on academic freedom |url=http://theconversation.com/should-the-university-of-melbourne-host-the-menzies-institute-the-answer-hinges-on-academic-freedom-165072 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref> due to its links with the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Australian Liberal Party]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fowler |first=Michael |date=2021-07-22 |title=Students, academics battle opening of Liberal-backed institute at Melbourne Uni |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/students-academics-battle-opening-of-liberal-backed-institute-at-melbourne-uni-20210721-p58bna.html |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref> and [[Conservatism|conservative politics]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Melbourne University's Robert Menzies Institute Is a Right-Wing Con |url=https://jacobin.com/2021/07/melbourne-university-robert-menzies-institute-australia-liberal |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=jacobin.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Melbourne |first=Jenny Sinclair in |date=2021-07-26 |title=Students rally against creation of Robert Menzies institute |url=https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-australia-universities-2021-7-students-rally-against-creation-of-robert-menzies-institute/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=Research Professional News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The University of Melbourne proceeded with opening the Library, which opened in 2021. In 2017 the University received a 7-Million dollar grant from the government to refurbish the building which the Institute would be housed in.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-24 |title=Students and staff campaign against Liberal-aligned Robert Menzies Institute - Honi Soit |url=https://honisoit.com/2021/07/students-and-staff-campaign-against-liberal-aligned-robert-menzies-institute/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
== Activities == The Institute hosts a variety of events, including book launches, orations, and cultural events.<ref name=":0" /> One such oration is the [[Anzac Day|ANZAC day]] oration, which features a speech regarding the security of Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transcript {{!}} Robert Menzies Institute ANZAC Oration {{!}} 23 April 2024 |url=https://www.senatorpaterson.com.au/news/transcript-robert-menzies-institute-anzac-oration-23-april-24 |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=www.senatorpaterson.com.au}}</ref> The institute also runs a number of history-related events for schoolchildren and teachers and hosts a yearly [[public speaking]] competition, available for Australian students in years 9 to 12.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robert Menzies Institute Speech Competition - HTAV |url=https://www.htav.asn.au/students/robert-menzies-institute-speech-competition |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=www.htav.asn.au}}</ref>
The Institute also runs weekly podcast 'Afternoon Light', hosted by CEO [[Georgina Downer]], and has interviewed various Australian Political figures, including [[Scott Morrison]], [[James Paterson (Australian politician)|James Patterson]], [[Simon Birmingham]], [[Tony Abbott]], and [[Malcolm Turnbull|Malcom Turnbull]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Development |first=PodBean |title=Afternoon Light {{!}} Robert Menzies Institute |url=https://robertmenziesinstitute.podbean.com/ |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=robertmenziesinstitute.podbean.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Leadership == As of June 2024, the [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] of the Institute was [[Georgina Downer]], a former diplomat, lawyer, Liberal Party candidate, journalist<ref>{{Cite web |title=Georgina Downer |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/georgina-downer }}</ref> and daughter of Australian Politician [[Alexander Downer]].
The board is made up of a variety of academics, media figures, and business leaders. Notable members include [[Peta Credlin]] AM, [[Leigh Clifford]] AC, and [[David Kemp (politician)|David Kemp]] AM<ref>{{Cite web |title=Board |url=https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/board |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Robert Menzies Institute |language=en-AU}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{coord missing|Australia}}
[[Category:2021 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Libraries established in 2021]] [[Category:Libraries in Melbourne]] [[Category:University of Melbourne]] [[Category:Robert Menzies|Institute]]