PODCAST · history
Afternoon Light
by Robert Menzies Institute
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 signi
Episodes
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Two pioneers who brought the outback into Australia
Was the Northern Territory still 'unexplored' when the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Mark Smith to tell the story of Australia's Forgotten Explorer William Wilkinson. A man who embarked on a remarkable journey across Northern Australia, and...
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The real history of Australian immigration
Has immigration really made Australia more prosperous? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Mark Cully, former chief economist for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, about his new, revealing and monumental history Waves of Plenty: Immigration and the Making of...
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Andrew Roberts: How Churchill shows us the power of history and its heroes
Are the English-speaking-peoples still bound together, as we were during the greatest struggles of the 20th century? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Andrew Roberts, fresh off delivering the 2026 Menzies Oration, for a wide-ranging discussion exploring the enduring...
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Seeing Australia through the eyes of a Japanese Spy
What did a Japanese spy, straight out of spy-school, make of 1940s Australia? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer and guest Craig Collie tell the fascinating and oft times humorous story of Major Sei Hashida. A haplessly conspicuous figure, whose 'covert' wartime tour of Australia made...
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More than Middling: Australia’s role in the construction of a new global order
Is Australia really just a 'middle power', or are we underestimating our ability to influence world affairs? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer sits down for a lively discussion with Allan Behm and Emma Shortis, exploring and testing their thesis that Australia can spearhead the...
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Henry Ergas: What has multiculturalism done to Australia?
Is multiculturalism the cornerstone of Australia's modern identity, or a Canadian import reflecting a society that was always more divided than our own? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks to Henry Ergas about the history of multiculturalism and how it may have contributed to…
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Bringing ANZUS to Life: Belinda Murrell on the power of historical fiction
What was it like for an Australian teenager in the early 1950s, thinking that the advent of World War III was imminent? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer chats with award winning children's author Belinda Murrell about the process of writing The Hidden War. A new historical fiction...
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Australia's first Asian Barrister
How did a person of Chinese descent rise to become one of the nation's top barristers at the height of the White Australia Policy? On this week’s Afternoon Light, Andrew Godwin tells an astounding multicultural success story that long predates the very concept of multiculturalism. Offering…
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Nick Bisley on how globalisation made & may unmake Asia: "The world looks quite different"
Is 'Asia' a real place, or just an arbitrary mashing together of distinctive cultures and regions? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Nick Bisley about how globalisation made the area Western maps had long designated as 'Asia' into an interconnected reality. Shedding light...
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Paul Kelly & Alexander Downer on the frustration & legacy of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Governments: "We don't know what they stand for"
How has almost a decade in power left such a severe dent in the Liberal Party's reputation & viability? On this week’s Afternoon Light special guest hosts Alexander Downer and Chetna Mahadik speak with Paul Kelly about his latest book The Twilight of Exceptionalism. Exploring the failures,...
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Michael Wesley on Australia's need to recommit to Southeast Asia: "In historical terms"
Is Australia's security most directly determined by our regional neighbours? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Michael Wesley about how Southeast Asia has become a 'blind spot' of Australian diplomatic relations. Discussing whether Australia's most immediate and important...
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Rae Frances & Bruce Scates on Mary Booth, the woman who shaped the Anzac legend: "War unsettles the gender orders"
How did Australians first commemorate the Anzac spirit, when the men were still fighting overseas? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Rae Frances & Bruce Scates, the authors of the new biography Mary Booth: The Woman who Shaped the Anzac Legend. A conversation uncovering…
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Patrick Mullins on the flawed & fascinating redemption story of stained man Richard Meagher: "Australia is a land of new beginnings"
How old is the sordid Australian phenomenon of 'trial by media'? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with renowned biographer Patrick Mullins about federation era lawyer and politician Richard Meagher. A man who sold his soul and reputation, then spent decades desperately trying...
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Jeff Kildea on the rise & demise of the Catholic-Labor alliance: "The lifelong habit"
Why might your religious affiliation determine which political party you were likely to vote for? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Jeff Kildea to chart the rise and demise of the Catholic-Labor alliance. One of the defining features of Australian politics for much of the...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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.…
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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.…
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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.…
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Aryan Ilkhani on Menzies's conception of the Rule of Law | 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.…
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Jamie Robbins on the formation of Menzies's Cabinets | 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.…
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Chantal Moore on Ancient lessons for modern democracy | 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.…
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Fiona Duncan on the attempt to ban the 'Friends of the Soviet Union' | 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.…
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Charlie Hume on Robert Menzies's trips to America | 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.…
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Axel Melkonian on post-war German immigration to Australia | 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.…
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Mary Coleman on Civic Virtue in a Technological Age | 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.…
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Pablo Avaria-Jimenez on Australia's middle power statecraft | 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.…
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Anton Vassallo on the historic importance of Australia's wool exports to Japan | 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.…
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Andrew Fankhauser on Konfrontasi & the evolution of Australian defence policy | 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.…
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Brent Taylor on Australia's WW2 Commander Sir Thomas Blamey: "A real stomach for pugnaciousness"
How did Australia's most decorated military leader become so loathed, & is his negative reputation unfair? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Brent Taylor to discuss the distinguished yet controversial career of Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey. The man Robert Menzies chose...
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Leila Brammer on the art of fostering healthy debate: "Tell me more"
Is the sickness of modern democracy our increasing inability to argue constructively, with an honest view towards convincing or even learning from our opponents? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Leila Brammer to unpack the centrality of debate to democracy, why its…
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Andrew Hastie on 75 Years of ANZUS & the Challenges that Australia Faces Today: "What value do you bring"
After 75 years of the Australian-American Alliance, are we still pulling our weight? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Andrew Hastie to mark 75 years of the ANZUS Treaty and explore the myriad of challenges that Australia faces today. From unpredictable allies to...
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Damien Wright on the Anzacs who fought in the Russian Civil War: "Tragedy... in that remote Russian forest so many years ago"
How early did Australia come to see Russian Bolshevism as a threat to the world? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Damien Wright to reveal the untold story of Anzac involvement in the Russian Civil War. Our nation's first battle against communism, which saw two…
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Michael Gawenda on the rise of antisemitism in Australia: "Growing up... I don't even think I knew what it was"
How did Australia go from being the 'golden land' to a place of persecution? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Michael Gawenda to unpack the horrific rise of antisemitism in Australia. Drawing on his own family history as Menzies era migrants, and recent experiences as a...
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Joseph Healy on what Adam Smith would make of modern Australia: "We focus so much on what is counted and lose sight of what counts"
250 years after Adam Smith published The Wealth of Nations, have we in Australia forgotten the foundational economic lessons that Smith offered? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Joseph Healy to resuscitate the insights of famous Scottish Enlightenment thinker Adam Smith…
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Ben Saunders on the intent behind Australia's utilitarian Constitution: "The Character of the People"
Does Australia's utilitarian constitution reflect a lack of inspiration on the part of our founding fathers? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Ben Saunders to unpack the intent behind the framing of Australia's constitution. Something which eschewed grand value statements...
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Lydia Khalil & Zachary Gorman on the Conditions for a Successful Democracy: "They go hand in hand"
Amidst seemingly unending crises of social cohesion, cost of living, and in the party system, how is Australia's democracy holding up? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Lydia Khalil and Zachary Gorman to unpack the conditions under which democracy thrives, and issues…
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Bruce Kingston on the eccentricities, dominance and legacy of Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen: "The truth is"
Before Dan Andrews, who was Australia's most polarising state premier? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Bruce Kingston to discuss one of Australian history's most beloved and bemoaned Queenslanders, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen. The man who turned the Sunshine State into a...
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Denis Porter on the importance of the Coal Industry throughout Australian History: "We were desperate for more coal"
Did you know that Captain Cook's Endeavour was originally a coal ship? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Denis Porter to explore the crucial role the coal industry has played throughout Australian history, from the earliest days of British settlement right up until the...
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Christina Twomey on Australia's treatment of our returned WW2 POWs: "Suffered on behalf of the nation"
Does offering financial support for Prisoners of War risk incentivising surrender? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Christina Twomey, to discuss how the Australian government dealt with returned World War II POWs who had been deeply scarred by their time spent in...
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Hilary Silbert on Australia's first female parliamentarian Edith Cowan: "You will not get back"
What is the story behind the woman who appears on Australia's $50 note? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Hilary Silbert to uncover the remarkable life of Australia's first female parliamentarian, Edith Cowan. Who rose from the familial infamy of having a convicted…
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Alexander Downer & Tony Parkinson on the life & times of Australia's longest serving Foreign Minister: "We took a view"
30 years on from the election of the Howard Government, how does its extensive foreign policy legacy live up to scrutiny? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Alexander Downer and his biographer Tony Parkinson to discuss A Step to the Right, the new book on Australia's…
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Tony Abbott on his new History of Australia: "A bad history does not produce a good present"
Do those who denigrate Australia's past hurt Australia's present? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Tony Abbott to discuss his new book, Australia: A History. An antidote to the 'Black armband' view of our national story, which doesn't downplay the darker aspects of our...
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Peter Kurti on maintaining national unity amidst Australia's growing pluralism: "Multiculturalism works when it's Civic Anchored"
Do Australians still agree on enough fundamental values to hold society together? On this week’s Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Perter Kurti from the Centre for Independent Studies, to ponder how Australia's democratic and social cohesion can survive our increasing pluralism and...
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Summer Series 2025-6 Part 7: Paul Brown, Andrew Kemp, & Lucas McLennan
In this special summer series of the Afternoon Light podcast you can enjoy the presentations delivered at our November 2025 conference entitled ‘Menzies and the British Commonwealth of Nations’. This seventh & final episode features Paul Brown's paper 'Sons of Empire: Menzies, Downer and their...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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 signi
HOSTED BY
Robert Menzies Institute
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Afternoon Light have?
Afternoon Light currently has 297 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Afternoon Light about?
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...
How often does Afternoon Light release new episodes?
Afternoon Light publishes regularly with 297 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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You can listen to Afternoon Light on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Afternoon Light?
Afternoon Light is created and hosted by Robert Menzies Institute.
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