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Boyer Lectures 2009: A Very Australian Conversation
What are Australia's 'barbecue stopper' conversations right now? What are the things we talk and worry about?the 2009 ABC Boyer Lecturer is our best-known military officer, General Peter Cosgrove - an Australian Everyman whose interests are our own. As a father, General Cosgrove is concerned about the world we will leave to future generations. As a proud Australian, he is interested in how migration changed our sense of national identity. As an ex-soldier his life was about guaranteeing our national security. And as a leader, he is interested in accountability and integrity, and how the ability to build a team and communicate ideas makes for successful leadership. touching on such pressing issues as climate change, the debate about a republic and a Bill of Rights, refugees, assimilation, and our relationship with our neighbours in the Pacific, Indonesia and the great power of the United States and China, General Cosgrove engages us with insight and experience in A VERY AUStRALIAN CONVERSAtION.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 17, 2011
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February 27, 2022
Feeling like some non-fiction - something of the hope variety rather than despair - I turned to General Sir Peter Cosgrove. This is the published version of his 2009 Boyer Lecture series. Six lectures he collectively called ‘A Very Australian Conversation’ which encompassed national security, regional relationships, leadership, the politics of ordinary Australians, the social development of modern Australia and, in denouement, his hopes and expectations for the future of the country.
So rare is it, in Australia, for an accomplished military man to be public about the conflicts Australia has been involved in and his opinions on them, that that would be notable in itself. Yet, he also dispenses clear leadership lessons and wades into contentious and complex topics, including conscription, modern immigration and climate change. His is a measured and reassuring voice bringing experience and intellect to deliver observations and lessons in modern Australian history and the Australian identity. Without being dry.
He is insightful about the two world wars and the cumulative effect they had on Australians, the Americanisation of culture that started in the 40s, the education boom of the 50s, the intellectuals and ‘Sydney Push’ of the 60s, the protests and instability of the 70s, and the internationalisation of the economy in the 80s and 90s. His critique, without fervour, still manages to stir pride.
Highly recommended reading, for the history, humility and hope.
So rare is it, in Australia, for an accomplished military man to be public about the conflicts Australia has been involved in and his opinions on them, that that would be notable in itself. Yet, he also dispenses clear leadership lessons and wades into contentious and complex topics, including conscription, modern immigration and climate change. His is a measured and reassuring voice bringing experience and intellect to deliver observations and lessons in modern Australian history and the Australian identity. Without being dry.
He is insightful about the two world wars and the cumulative effect they had on Australians, the Americanisation of culture that started in the 40s, the education boom of the 50s, the intellectuals and ‘Sydney Push’ of the 60s, the protests and instability of the 70s, and the internationalisation of the economy in the 80s and 90s. His critique, without fervour, still manages to stir pride.
Highly recommended reading, for the history, humility and hope.
Displaying 1 of 1 review