This paper will focus on two historical junctures and two sets of sources, concerned with Australians’ construction of collective memory of Robert Menzies (1894-1978; Prime Minister 1939-41, 1949-66). The first part will explore responses to Menzies’ retirement in 1966, focussing on letters written to him by ordinary Australians. With a glance at the intervening period, including his death in 1978, the paper will then go on to explore more public sources concerned with how ‘Menzies memories’ have been mobilised in the context of the Liberal Party since the 1990s. Professor Bongiorno argues that the exploration of these themes and sources provides insights into the evolution of popular attitudes to politics and the political culture over the last sixty years.

Frank Bongiorno is Professor of History at the Australian National University and the author of numerous works on Australian political, cultural and labour history.