Sir Zelman Cowen Oration and Dinner
Once a year AIIA Victoria holds an Oration and dinner, honouring former Governor-General and legal expert Sir Zelman Cowen. Sir Zelman’s storied career of academia and public service was one dedicated to international affairs and the people of his home country, Australia. In keeping with his legacy of engagement and curiosity in world affairs, AIIA Victoria’s annual Sir Zelman Cowen Oration features an eminent speaker discussing a topical issue that affects Australia’s role in the world.
The evening is an opportunity to meet old and new friends, to mingle with diplomats, academics, foreign correspondents and members of the international community in Melbourne, continuing the tradition of acknowledging the contribution of Sir Zelman Cowen.
Previous Orations:
2024 Professor Sharon Lewin AO, FRACP, PHD, FAHMS
Director of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
From HIV to COVID and Beyond: How can we be better prepared for the inevitable next global pandemic?
2023 The Hon. Mark Weinberg AO KC
Special Investigator – Office of the Special Investigator
The Impact of Domestic and International Law on Australian Forces Overseas
2022 Dr Alan Finkel AC
Special Adviser to the Australian Government on Low Emissions Technology
Getting to Zero – Pathways, Policies and Partnerships
2019 The Hon. Margaret Stone AO FAAL
Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
Ethical Problems in Intelligence Collection
2018 The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson AO
Director of the Australian War Memorial
Centenary of Armistice: Honouring Service and Leadership
2017 Professor Margaret Gardner AO
President and Vice-Chancellor of Monash University
International Education for Australia: From the Colombo Plan to the Asian Century
2016 The Hon Andrew Robb AO
Former Minister for Trade and Investment
Australia’s Asian Future Unlocked: Seizing the Opportunities of the Asian Century
2015 Mr Ahmed Fahour
MD & CEO, Australia Post. Patron, Islamic Museum of Australia
I’ll Ride with You: Social inclusion and resilience in an era of violent extremism
2014 Mr Peter Varghese AO
Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australia’s National Interest in a Challenging World
2013 Mr David Irvine AO
Director General, ASIO
Protecting Secrets, Protecting People: The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in a Democracy
2012 Professor Geoffrey Blainey AC
Author, former Professor of Economic History and subsequently History, University
of Melbourne; Chair in Australian Studies at Harvard; Chair of the Australia Council,
the Australia China Council and National Council for the Centenary of Federation
The State of the World: is the ‘Good Cheer Barometer’ Rising or Falling?
2011 Mr Dennis Richardson AO
Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Foreign Policy in a Changing World
2010 Mr Michael Smith CBE
CEO, ANZ Banking Group
The Global Recovery: New Opportunities, New Risks
2009 Professor the Hon Robert Hill
Former Ambassador to the United Nations, and former Minister for Defence and
former Environment Minister
Australia’s Role in a World of Challenges
2007 The Hon Gareth Evans AC QC
Director, International Crisis Group; former Minister for Foreign Affairs
Ending Deadly Conflict –Dream or Delusion?
2006 Professor Victor Bulmer-Thomas OBE
Director-General, Chatham House, London
Living with Two Mega Powers: The World in 2020