Megarrity, Lyndon (2026) Menzies and Liberal Education. In: Gorman, Zachary, (ed.) The Menzies Legacy: Ideals, Change, Procession, 1960s and Beyond. Melbourne University Publishing, Carlton, VIC, Australia, pp. 119-132.

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Abstract

[Extract] Above all, we shall need clear minds, honest minds, courageous minds, well-informed minds; in a word, educated minds. For the simple and unpalatable truth is that our democratic system cannot continue if its motive power is to be a mixture of class selfishness, materialism, disregard of minorities, and a somewhat lazy indifference to the future.

This powerful statement on the value of education is found in Robert Menzies’s 1943 book The Forgotten People. He recognised that creating self-reliant yet community-minded individuals in the complex post-war world required a renewed emphasis on education.

Item ID:	90817
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	9780522881905
Keywords:	Sir Robert Menzies; Education Policy; College of Advanced Education; Australian education history
Copyright Information:	Copyright © 2026 Melbourne University Publishing.
Date Deposited:	28 Sep 2026 00:51
FoR Codes:	43 HISTORY, HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 4303 Historical studies > 430302 Australian history @ 50% 44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4407 Policy and administration > 440712 Social policy @ 50%
SEO Codes:	13 CULTURE AND SOCIETY > 1307 Understanding past societies > 130703 Understanding Australia’s past @ 100%
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