The ANU Australian Studies Institute and the Chairman of the Britain-Australia Society invite you to the latest lecture in our ‘First Eight Prime Ministers Series’.

Introductory lecture by Dr David Headon with a moderated discussion led by Dr Agnieszka Sobocinska. A drinks reception will follow. 

About the Lecture

At his 1947 State funeral, Sir Joseph Cook was described as ‘an Australian Lincoln’. His extraordinary journey from the coal mines of England to become Australia’s sixth Prime Minister does appear to contain all the hallmarks of a heroic migrant narrative. Yet with Cook, appearances are deceptive. He is a forgotten figure in our political history and there are several possible explanations - at once political, cultural, religious and above all, personal, reaching deep into the character of the man. One respected contemporary described him as a ‘chameleon’. This lecture will explain why.

About the Speaker

Dr David Headon is a cultural consultant and historian. Formerly Director of the Centre for Australian Cultural Studies, Cultural Adviser to the National Capital Authority and History and Heritage Adviser for the Centenary of Canberra, he is now a Foundation Fellow at the ANU Australian Studies Institute, a Parliamentary Library Associate and the Canberra Raiders club historian.

Dr Agnieszka Sobocinska is the Director of the Menzies Australia Institute and Reader in International History and Historical Geography. She joined King’s in 2022, having previously worked at Monash University and the University of Sydney.

The First Eight Project launched in early 2018 as a joint undertaking between the Australian Parliamentary Library, the National Museum of Australia, the National Archives of Australia, the Victorian Parliamentary Library and the ANU Australian Studies Institute. The project incorporates a series of events, lectures, exhibitions, and a monograph series on the first eight Prime Ministers of Australia.