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 sight-lines.
- 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.
Our program will be released soon. Subscribe to our newsletter to be notified of future updates.
Join us on 14 and 15 November for our 55th Annual Academy Symposium — The ideas and ideals of Australia: The Lucky Country turns sixty — which will prompts us to think afresh about Australian culture and social changes.
