Ideas and Ideals of Australia - 55th Annual Symposium of the Australian Academy of the Humanities

55th Annual Academy Symposium
The ideas & ideals of Australia: The Lucky Country turns sixty

The 60th anniversary of Donald Horne’s landmark book, The Lucky Country, prompts us to think afresh about Australian culture and social changes, and ask: are ordinary Australians fulfilling their aspirations? Are we a tolerant people?

The Australian Academy of the Humanities’ 55th Annual Symposium will take on the big questions posed by Horne and bring others to the fore. Convened by Professor Frank Bongiorno AM FAHA FRHistS FASSA and Professor Mark McKenna FAHA, the Symposium will take place on 14 & 15 November 2024 in Canberra, Australia.

In 1964, Horne’s chapter titles were a checklist for assessing the state of the nation and its sightlines:

• The Australian Dream
• What is an Australian?
• Senses of Difference
• Between Britain and America
• Living with Asia
• Work
• Power
• Forming Opinions.

From the vantage of 2024, there are clear omissions amongst them, including the changes wrought by feminism, Australia’s involvement in Vietnam and the Middle East, globalisation, enhanced connectivity, and persistent difficulty in hearing Indigenous voices.

Join us to reflect, debate, and imagine what Australia is now and what it can become.

The Symposium is co-presented with the Australian Studies Institute, Australian National University.

Return to Symposium Website

Event details

Symposium Convenors: Professor Frank Bongiorno AM FAHA FASSA FRHistS and Professor Mark McKenna FAHA
Symposium Dates: 14-15 November 2024, registration will commence at 8.30am Thursday 14 November and the Symposium will end on Friday 15 November at 5.00pm. There will be an informal social gathering after the Symposium, all welcome.
Venue: Superfloor (level 6), Marie Reay Teaching Centre, Australian National University (or online)

Additional Events:

A Big Dialogue: The State of the Arts in The Lucky Country - Who Cares? Why Bother?
Convenor: Professor Fred D'Agostino FAHA
Event Date: 5.30pm for a 6.00pm discussion, Wednesday 13 November 2024
Venue: Louie Louie (upstairs), Verity Lane Market, Sydney Building, 50 Northbourne Avenue
Details: Snacks are included in the ticket price and there will be a cash bar onsite. Held in the hub of Verity Lane Market – ticket holders can stay on for dinner and drinks, with a range of cuisine on offer. To book for this event only go to this page (please note, this will take you to a new website). Student ticket prices are available, thanks to the generous contribution of a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities.

Academy Lecture: Emeritus Professor Louise Edwards FAHA FASSA FHKAH
Event Date: 4.00-5.00pm, Thursday 14 November 2024
Venue: Superfloor, Marie Reay Teaching Centre, Australian National University (or online)
Registration: To book for this event only go to this page (please note, this will take you to a new website).

Fellows Signing Ceremony and Annual Academy Dinner
Event Date: 6.00pm for the Signing Ceremony and 6.30pm for Dinner, 14 November 2024
Speaker: Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Venue: Visions Theatre for the Signing Ceremony and The Gandel Atrium for Dinner, National Museum of Australia

Book launch: Cambridge Companion to Music in Australia
Event Date: 1.00-1.30pm, Friday 15 November 2024
Venue: Superfloor, Marie Reay Teaching Centre, Australian National University
Registration: This event is during the lunchtime break of the Symposium on Friday 15 November

Book launch: Meanjin 83.3 Spring 2024 and Essays that Changed Australia: Meanjin 1940 to today
Event Date: 3.00-3.30pm, Friday 15 November 2024
Venue: Superfloor, Marie Reay Teaching Centre, Australian National University
Registration: This event is during the afternoon tea break of the Symposium on Friday 15 November

Our Symposium is open to all – bringing together a large cross-section of Fellows, scholars, early-career researchers and representatives from government, education, peak bodies, industry, media and the community.

Diversity & equity at our events

Sponsors
The Academy acknowledges the generous sponsorship and support by our Principal Sponsor, the Australian National University and our Associate Sponsors for this year’s Symposium.

Image credit: 
Rhoda Tjitayi, Piltati Tjukurpa, 2023
© Rhoda Tjitayi/Copyright Agency, 2024