Afternoon Light
Welcome to the Afternoon Light Podcast, a captivating journey into the heart of Australia’s political history and enduring values. Presented by the Robert Menzies Institute, a prime ministerial library and museum, this podcast illuminates the remarkable legacy of Sir Robert Menzies, Australia’s longest-serving prime minister.
Dive into the rich tapestry of Menzies’s contemporary impact as we explore his profound contributions on the Afternoon Light Podcast. Join us as we delve into his unyielding commitment to equality, boundless opportunity, and unwavering entrepreneurial spirit. Our engaging discussions bring to life the relevance of Menzies’s values in today’s world, inspiring us to uphold his principles for a brighter future.
Ready to embark on this enlightening journey? Experience the Afternoon Light Podcast now! Tune in to explore the past, engage with the present, and shape a better tomorrow by learning from the visionary leadership of Sir Robert Menzies.
Stay connected by signing up on the Robert Menzies Institute website: https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/. Have an opinion? Email your comments to: [email protected].
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 44 minutes
- Episodes
- 228
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Hugh Rogers on the life & foreign policy legacy of arch-conscriptionist Billy Hughes: "A seat at the table"
Who is going to celebrate a prime minister who got kicked out of multiple political parties?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Hugh Rogers to explore the complex career and l…
Nicholas Ferns on Australia's attempt to guide Papua New Guinea towards economic development & self government: "We've cracked that code"
On 16 September 1975 Papua New Guinea gained its independence, but how well did Australia prepare its former territory for that day?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Nichola…
Salvatore Babones on the Ascent of Democracy in India: "A Sense of Nationhood"
Should India be considered a democratic success story?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Salvatore Babones to explore the remarkable rise of democracy in India, and why it ha…
Charles Richardson & Zachary Gorman on the Future of Australia's Two Party System: "A Tangible Choice"
If more than a third of voters are opting for Independents and minor parties, does Australia even have a two party system anymore?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Charles R…
David Lee on Prime Minister & Statesman Stanley Melbourne Bruce: "The Outstanding Australian of Our Time"
Who led Australia through the roaring 20s & was he responsible when they came to a crashing halt?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with David Lee about Australia's 8th Prime Mini…
William Coleman on 5-time NSW Premier John Robertson: "The Grandfather of Australian Liberalism"
When did the widespread property ownership evoked in 'The Forgotten People' first become a cornerstone of the Australian liberal project?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Wi…
Zachary Gorman on the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta's legitimisation: "The Power of the Narrative"
How did Magna Carta help lead to the birth of Australian democracy?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Zachary Gorman to mark 800 years since King Henry III gave his consent t…
Kit Kowol on Chamberlain, Churchill & the British Conservative Party during WW2: "There were other futures available"
How different would Britain have looked if the Conservative Party won the 1945 election?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Kit Kowol to discuss the grand and unrealised Conse…
Wendy Michaels on NSW's first female MP Millicent Preston Stanley: "How Dare She"
How did a play help to transform child custody laws?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Wendy Michaels OAM to tell the story of conservative feminist trailblazer Millicent Pre…
Greg Melleuish on the Evolution of Political Terms: "That's yesterday's liberalism, therefore it's conservatism"
Why does the term 'liberal' mean such vastly different things in Australia and America?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Greg Melleuish to discuss the evolution of political…
David Hunt on enlivening Australian history with fact-based entertainment: "History with humour"
Why do people think that Australian history is boring & what can we do to change that?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with David Hunt, author of the award-winning Girt series, …
Michael Samaras on Jim McNeill & the Aussies who fought Fascism in Spain: "Soldiers of Conscience"
Why would Australians enlist to fight in a civil war on the far side of the world?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Michael Samaras to tell the story of Jim McNeill and his …
David Headon on our first PM Edmund Barton: "The Iscariots of history"
What kind of country doesn't remember the name of its first prime minister?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Professor David Headon AM to reveal the fascinating story of Sir…
Sir Peter Cosgrove on Vietnam, his experience in the ADF & Australia's current defence concerns: "underscore and capitalise DETERRANT"
How can Australia see off the threats posed by an increasingly unstable world?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Sir Peter Cosgrove for a wide-ranging interview covering his …
Katti Williams on the design process that produced Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance: "Surrogate Tombs"
How can a monument encapsulate the loss of 60,000 young men?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Katti Williams to explore the design process that produced Melbourne's Shrine o…
David Day on Foundational Labor PM Andrew Fisher: "To the last man and the last shilling"
Why did a critic of the Boer War double down on Australia's commitment to its bloody successor?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with David Day to discuss one of our most importa…
John Roskam & Zachary Gorman on the 2025 election & where to now for Australian liberalism: "Ideological Incoherence"
How did Menzies's Liberal Party end up with the lowest primary vote in its 80-year history?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with John Roskam and Zachary Gorman to dissect the re…
Bob Crawshaw on the communications revolution that defeated Bank Nationalisation & won the 49 election: "Highly Orchestrated"
How did Robert Menzies sell his message as Opposition Leader?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Bob Crawshaw about how Chifley and Menzies's epic clash over bank nationalisat…
Mark Johnston on the story of Don Company: "Astonished by how brave a group of people could be"
How did one group of soldiers manage to endure practically the full breadth of Australia's experience in World War Two?
On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Mark Johnston to tel…
Paul Strangio on the Great Labor Split: "There you are Judas"
What are the long-term consequences when political parties become wracked by division?
On Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Paul Strangio about the Great Labor Split, which just passed its …