Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

Encourages eminent Australians and Asians to present their vision for Australia-Asia relations into the 21st century and to commemorate the life and vision of Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop.

The Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture encourages eminent Australians and Asians to present their vision for Australia-Asia relations into the 21st century and to commemorate the life and vision of Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop.

The lecture consistently attracts high profile speakers and is the occasion for awarding the Dunlop Asia Medal and Dunlop Asia Fellowships.

The Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture was inaugurated in December 1993, by the then Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating, to commemorate the life of the late Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop, one of Australia's most revered citizens and a pioneer of Australia-Asia relations.

Access past lectures below.

2023 27th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

2 November 2023

Adam Liaw

Read Adam Liaw's lecture.

Watch Adam Liaw's lecture.

2022 26th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

26 August, 2022

The Hon Julie Bishop

Read Julie Bishop's lecture.

2019 and 2020 25th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

5 February, 2021 
The Hon Governor Linda Dessau AC
Read Governor Dessau's lecture.


2018 24th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

13 March, 2019  
The Hon Gareth Evans AC QC
Read Gareth Evans' lecture.

2016 23rd Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation

30 November, 2016
Andrew Penn, CEO, Telstra delivered the Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop lecture at the 2016 Asialink Chairman's Dinner in Sydney.
Read Andy Penn's lecture.

2015 22nd Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation

3 December, 2015
Andrew Mackenzie, CEO of BHP Billiton delivered the Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop lecture at the 2015 Asialink Chairman's Dinner in Melbourne.
Read Andrew Mackenzie's lecture.

2014 21st Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation

9 December, Sydney
The Chairman of the Barangaroo Delivery Authority, Mr Terry Moran AC, delivered the keynote address at the annual Asialink Chairman's Dinner in Sydney.
Read Terry Moran's lecture.

2013 20th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation

5 December, Melbourne
Mr Abbott delivered the 2013 Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Lecture to more than 320 leaders from business, government, academia and the health and arts sectors at a gala function held at the Park Hyatt Hotel.
Read Hon. Tony Abbott's lecture.

2012 19th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation
The Hon. Alexander Downer was presented with the 2012 Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal for his work in Australia-Asia relations. Senator the Hon Bob Carr delivered the keynote address.
Read Hon. Alexander Downer's citation

2011 18th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation

28 November 2011, Melbourne
Geraldine Cox AM was presented with the 2011 Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal, at the Asialink Chairman's Dinner. The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP delivered the keynote address for the evening.
Watch the lecture.

2010 17th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation

7 December 2010
The 2010 Sir Edward "Weary'' Dunlop Asialink Medal was awarded to Professor Ross Garnaut AO. Professor Garnaut has been at the centre of major decision-making in Australia and our region for almost four decades.
Read Phillip Flood's citation.

2009 16th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation

1 December 2009
2009 Dunlop Asialink Medalist, Professor Nancy Viviani with Professor Glyn Davis, Vice Chancellor of The University of Melbourne
Professor Nancy Viviani has made a profound contribution to the "recreation" of Australia. Her policy expertise, leading edge research and scholarship on East Timor, Vietnam and Indonesia, and her contribution to the place of migrants and refugees in Australia, made her an important figure not only in academia, but also in government and other circles.
Read Professor Glyn Davis' citation.
Read Michael L'Estrange's lecture.

2008 15th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation

December 2008
2010 Dunlop Asialink Medallist, Richard A Woolcott AC
The 2008 Sir Edward "Weary'' Dunlop Asialink Medal was awarded to Richard Woolcott AC in recognition of his tireless contribution to Australia's relationships with Asia. Richard A Woolcott AC delivered the lecture.
Read Richard Woolcott's citation

2007 14th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation

6 December 2007
2007 Dunlop Asialink Medalist, Tim Fischer AC, with Sid Myer and Sir Ninian Stephen
Tim Fischer AC, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Ministry of Trade and Chairman of Tourism Australia delivered the lecture.
Read Tim Fischer's lecture.

2006 13th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation

1 February 2007
The 2006 Asialink Dunlop Medal was presented to Sister Mary Theodore OAM, Founder of the MITHRA Foundation, Chennai, India by Mrs. Janette Howard at a private function in Sydney. Sister Theodore was nominated for her dedication in creating a teaching, occupational therapy and boarding centre for disabled children of Chennai.

2005 12th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

3 November 2005
Mr Paul Kelly, Editor-At-Large, The Australian
Engagement with Asia as a National Project
Read Paul Kelly's lecture.

2004 11th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Medal Presentation

3 June 2005
Dr Harold Clough, AO, OBE FTS - a pioneer in establishing business relations with Asia and, in particular, investing in Indonesia through Clough Ltd. His depth of understanding of business in Asia and his enthusiasm in promoting the great benefits of continuing Australia-Asia engagement in a continuing inspiration to future generations.
Read Dr Harold Clough's lecture.

2003 10th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

16 October 2003
Mr Ian J Macfarlane, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
Asia's role in Australia's economic future.
Read  Ian Macfarlane's lecture. 

2002 9th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

6 February 2002
The Hon Gough Whitlam AC QC, and Mrs Margaret Whitlam AO .
Australia, Asia & The United States.
Read the Hon. Gough Whitlam's citation
Read the Hon. Kevin Rudd's lecture

2000 8th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

24 November 2000
The Rt Hon Malcolm Fraser AC CH, Chairman, CARE Australia, Former Prime Minister of Australia (1975 - 1983).
Australia, Asia & The United States.
Read The Rt Hon. Malcolm Frasers lecture. 

1999 7th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

December 1999
Lieutenant General John Sanderson, Former Chief of Australian Army and chairman, Consilium Group and PAXIQUEST Consulting on Australia's Millennial Shift - A new role in Asia?
Read Lieutenant General John Sanderson's lecture.

1998 6th Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

December, 1998
Professor Wang Gungwu, Director, East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore presented Memories of War: Reflections on Asian Values to more than 250 in attendance at the Telstra Theatrette, Melbourne.

1997 5th Annual Dunlop Asia Lecture

November 1997
The Hon John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia, delivered the Fourth Annual Dunlop Asialink Lecture and presented awards to the Dunlop Asia Awards Medallist and Fellows at the Plaza Ballroom, Regent Theatre, Melbourne.
Read the Hon. John Howard's lecture.

1996 4th Annual Dunlop Asia Lecture

July 1996
Asialink was honoured to host H.E. Mrs Sadako Ogata, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who presented this year's Dunlop Asialink Lecture over lunch in the ANZ Pavilion of the Victorian Arts Centre. Mrs Ogata spoke on the work the UN is doing to contend with the refugee situation in the context of her vision for the future of the Asia-Pacific region.

1995 3rd Annual Dunlop Asialink Lecture and Seventh Asia Lecture

November 1995
The Hon Ung Huot, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Cambodia, discussed Cambodia's evolving relationship with Australia and the major issues facing Cambodia as it moves into the 21st century.

1994 2nd Annual Dunlop Asialink Lecture and Third Asia Lecture

October 1994
Senator Gareth Evans delivered the second Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asialink Lecture in conjunction with the announcement of the inaugural Dunlop Asia Fellow and the first Dunlop Asia Medal recipient.
Read Senator Gareth Evans' lecture.

1993 Inaugural Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asia Lecture

December 1993
The Hon Paul Keating delivered the inaugural Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Asialink Lecture at the Victorian Arts Centre. The audience numbered over 300 and the lecture was broadcast into Southeast Asia and Southern China by Australia Television International.