On 9 October 2024, Foundation Fellow of the ANU Australian Studies Institute (AuSI), Professor David Headon, delivered the next lecture in The First Eight Project series on Australia's early prime ministers—this time on sixth prime minister, Joseph Cook. Held in the historic Downer Room at the Australian High Commission in London, the lecture was introduced by Australian High Commissioner, HE The Hon Stephen Smith, who singled out the ongoing importance of the lectures, and the Australian High Commission's steadfast commitment to providing the series venue over a number of years.

With the popular event once again sponsored by AuSI, the Downer Room was at capacity with the audience responding with enthusiasm to the lecture, and the questions that followed, provided by Dr Agnieszka Sobocinska, Director of the Menzies Australian Institute at King’s College London. Those present included Lord Richard Denman (descendant of Australia's fifth Governor-General, Thomas Denman); Bill Barton (descendant of Australia's first prime minister, Edmund Barton); Emeritus Professor Paul Pickering (AuSI's founding Director), and Damian Walsh (Chair of the Britain-Australia Society).