Menzies School of Health Research

Creation and achievements

Two workshops were convened in Darwin by Harry Giese, Chairman of the Northern Territory Committee: Living in the North (1981) and Towards a School of Health Research in the Northern Territory (1982), both published as Transactions of the Menzies Foundation.

‘As a consequence of these meetings, the Menzies School of Health Research was created in Darwin and incorporated under its own legislation on 12 December 1985…the continuing contribution made by [the School] to the health of Northern Australians is a tribute to the vision, enthusiasm and the advocacy of Harry Giese who first identified the need for such a school and who later vigorously pursued its establishment and strongly supported its work.’

The First Menzies Regional Workshop, 1981

‘…This Workshop had its origins in the first place in the memorial arrangements for…a lay Australian in medical terms—who in public office initiated and wisely administered developments of great human and economic worth for all Australians. I refer to Robert Gordon Menzies.

In the second place it had its origins in some general remarks I made from the floor at the First Menzies Seminar in Melbourne in October last year. On that occasion, out of some 320 people present, only five of us came from Northern Australia, which may be broadly defined as that area of Australia north of a line drawn roughly from Carnarvon in the west to Rockhampton in the east. At that time I referred to peculiar breeds of Australians who, in steadily increasing numbers, were putting their roots down and looking to find their future and that of their children in the still isolated communities in that region, and were demonstrating that some of the myths and misconceptions held by those in the ‘deep south’ about living there were in need of review. I also drew attention to the need to know more about the way of life of the Aboriginal people who have lived in this area for a period in excess of 20,000 years and have come to terms with an environment which by southern standards is still seen to be both harsh and uninviting.

Among other things, I said also that it was opportune at this time to find a working relationship between the developing Northern Territory University and the Menzies Foundation in examining factors which influenced living in the north and the things which we should be doing to improve the quality of life for the people in this region.

The procedure adopted by the Planning Committee set up by the NT Menzies Committee, after some agonizing over the broad title for the Workshop, was to detail a number of themes which were included in the introductory brochure around which speakers might be able to develop their views, always keeping in mind the broad objectives of the Foundation.

Within this framework, the Planning Committee was concerned that the Workshop should seek to achieve three main objectives. Firstly, to obtain as speakers as many people as possible who were living in the area. This was done without derogation of some of the outstanding speakers outside the area with special knowledge and experience of the north who would contribute significantly to the deliberations. In the event, out of a total of 35 speakers, 23 are from the region.

Secondly, we wanted to examine a range of matters, on some of which hard data was available, that were considered to have a bearing on the lifestyle and health of the people in North Australia…

That we have had a measure of success beyond our expectations in achieving this objective is borne out by the papers which have been offered. There are obviously gaps in the programme. Where these gaps are [and] what we should be doing about filling them will hopefully form the substance of some of the discussions. Undoubtedly, strong attention will be directed to our sins both of commission and omission. You will have the opportunity to air your views on our shortcomings from the floor and in other places.

Thirdly, in line with the broad objectives of the Foundation to support research into and programmes for health, fitness and physical achievement in the interests of improving health and quality of life of Australians, we sought to obtain a scientific and professional assessment of priorities and needs in these fields in North Australia today. It is in this respect that we suggest the Foundation, as well as pursuing its own special interests, should be looking to find a continuing relationship with the establishing Northern Territory University in its research functions.

There are those of us, therefore, who have been advocating over the years for the establishment of research elements of such a University, who see an important outcome of this Workshop to be the means to enable a more ordered, intensive and co-operative exploration of those important matters which have a significant bearing on the wellbeing and lifestyles of the people living in the north.’

H.C. Giese, Chairman, Northern Territory Committee, the Menzies Foundation, speech to the Workshop published in Living in the North, Transactions of the Menzies Foundation, Vol. 2, pages xvii-xviii    

(The first part of the speech paid tribute to the pioneering work of Dr C.E. (Mick) Cook, Dr Clyde Fenton, Dr Alan Humphry and Dr John Hargrave)

1980

‘…I would like to make a plea to this seminar… to direct some study to the effects of climate and other factors such as social isolation on the health, fitness and physical achievement of people living in central and northern Australia. 

I include in these areas large parts of Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. We obviously have only minority representation in this gathering and those of us here by no means represent the rich ethnic diversity of those areas.

Amongst us are substantial remnants of a proud people who have occupied these areas for around 40,000 years. Some of them are still living close to their traditional lifestyle; many of them are only one or two generations removed from that condition. They have obviously appropriately adjusted to what, by the standards of some Australians, are considered harsh climatic conditions. Some studies by Swedish and American scientists have demonstrated their remarkable capacity to adjust to extremes of heat and cold…

We have much to learn from Aboriginal people living in these areas; we have much to understand about the adjustments which those of us who choose to live in these areas have to make, if we are to come to terms as permanent residents in this significant part of our country.’

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